Unless someone comes forward who wants to completely move the building from its location at 6319 E. Highway 20 to a new setting, it will be torn down in the next few months.
Public Service Director Kim Clymire asked the board to approve the staff's recommendation to demolish the building, which he said was too expensive to renovate.
He said the county has been talking with the developer of a “destination resort” scheduled to go on the site of the Lake Sands Resort and the former Lucerne Motel, properties located next to the clubhouse. Though not mentioned by name, Clymire and other officials referred to Robert Affinito, whose father Dominic bought the properties several years ago.
Clymire said part of the discussion has included the developer's need for parking.
He also asked the board for permission to waive the formal bidding process so he could approach a contractor who has been hired to tear down the Lake Sands Resort about taking both buildings down.
“By using the economy of scale I think the county can save money by having that contractor demolish the clubhouse at the same time,” he said.
Clymire added that if he couldn't get a fair price, he would put the project out to bid.
Demolishing the building didn't have universal approval in Lucerne. “There's some concern in the community about saving the clubhouse,” he said, noting it has been the site of meetings, events and weddings over the years.
The county-owned building had been the site of a Veterans of Foreign Wars post, which since has dissolved. The post's namesake, Lester D. Grigsby, who died in World War II, is commemorated with a small monument located at the back of the property, near the stairs that lead down to a public beach.
Clymire said the building has largely sat empty for the past three years, although he has given permission for it to be used for some fundraiser yard sales.
He said the building's power is off and it has been vandalized, with its windows recently being broken.
The building could be moved, but Clymire suggested it might cost about $20,000.
He said the county has put a significant amount of money into the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, with the understanding that it is to be offered as a community meeting place.
“I think the prudent thing to do is demolish it,” he said of the clubhouse.
Even if no building goes next door, it will improve the view of the lake, Clymire said.
Board Chair Denise Rushing said the building's fate has been under discussion for some time. The community was told that if the money was given to the senior center there wouldn't be money for the clubhouse.
Efforts have been made to try to salvage the building, which she said is not in the best of shape. Rushing said that, once the Lake Sands Resort comes down, the clubhouse will be one of the worst looking buildings along the lakeshore.
She said she was sad that the community had to give up the little building.
At the same time, she emphasized that the land and the beach remain public.
“That is public property, it's a public beach, and I don't see us giving that up lightly,” she said.
Rushing added that removing the clubhouse isn't an automatic approval for the next steps in Affinito's project.
County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox emphasized that in the county's discussions with the developer, that public access issue has been made clear.
Cox added that there has been no agreement whatsoever reached with the developer at this point, and the only body that can make such an agreement is the board itself.
Lucerne resident Donna Christopher said it broke her heart to see the building being taken away, although she was grateful for the county's efforts on behalf of the senior center.
“I am not happy at all or reconciled with giving up our clubhouse,” she said, noting that its kitchen made it a different kind of facility than the senior center, where the kitchen isn't available to groups.
She wondered how Affinito planned to fit a 50- or 60-room hotel on his property, and doubted that parking and access would be made available to the public at large.
Lenny Matthews, also of Lucerne, said the nearby swimming beach has become a common camping site for the area's homeless, and she suggested the building should be used as a temporary homeless shelter.
Supervisor Jim Comstock moved to accept staff recommendations to demolish the building and waive the bidding process, but to offer anyone who wants to come forward and move the building an opportunity to do so.
“This is a sad vote for me,” said Rushing. “I feel it.”
The vote was 4-0, with Supervisor Jeff Smith being absent.
Anyone interested in the building should contact Public Services at 707-262-1618.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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