LUCERNE – Based on what the Board of Supervisors decides this week, a community building on Lucerne's lakeshore could soon be demolished to make way for more parking for a nearby development.
The Lucerne Clubhouse, which sits on a one-acre lakefront parcel at 6319 E. Highway 20, had been slated for renovation based on a community survey conducted a few years ago. But county officials say that it's too costly to remodel or move the building, which sits next to the dilapidated Lake Sands Resort, owned by Dominic Affinito.
Deputy Redevelopment Director Eric Seely said the building so far hasn't been discussed at the board level. He said a discussion of plans for the building didn't generate much public comment at the most recent town hall meeting.
Public Services Director Kim Clymire is taking the proposal to demolish the building to the board at its Tuesday meeting in the board chambers at the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St. The matter is scheduled to be heard at 2:45 p.m.
Clymire's report to the board said the building has been vacant for three and a half years and is in a “blighted” condition. Not noted in the report is that the building has been used for some community events during that time frame.
County staff has carried over $30,000 to either remodel, relocate or demolish the building, Clymire reported.
“Due to budget constraints and needs, staff believes that remodeling or relocating the building would be too costly and demolishing the building is the preferred option,” Clymire stated in his report.
In order to save time and money, Clymire suggested waiving the normal bidding process and hiring the same demolition contractor who will soon be knocking down the Lake Sands Resort.
Clymire's report said that a “destination resort” is to be built at the site of the Lake Sands. Robert Affinito has stated that his family plans to develop a 50- or 60-room Mainstay Suites on the site, which the company said is a “midscale extended stay” type of hotel facility.
County staff, Clymire reported, has negotiated with Affinito “to develop a parking lot where the clubhouse currently stands that will be utilized for public lake access and some of the resort's parking needs.”
Seely said the Affinito project is still in the “predevelopment phase.”
“At this point Affinito is not being offered anything,” Seely told Lake County News. “They had requested that the county would lease the parking lot area, which includes the footprint where the two buildings are, to support the project.”
The arrangement wouldn't include the beach, said Seely.
Supervisor Denise Rushing said the county has a limited amount of money, and already has given considerable money to the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center for renovations.
When the county agreed to invest in the senior center, Rushing said part of the agreement was that the center would act as a community meeting place, which had been a clubhouse function.
Rushing said the beach will remain available and accessible to the public.
As to the agreement to provide parking to Affinito, “We want to do what we can to encourage economic investment in the Northshore,” she said.
She added, “We need to make sure whatever agreement is reached, that everyone benefits.”
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
