51 Ellis Rd - Westminster Golf & Country Club

Westminster Country Club is a 18-hole regulation length golf course which appeals to local golfers in the north central Massachusetts. This has been a family run semi-private golf course since 1957. The property is made up of nine parcels totaling 155.35 acres. Current improvements include a 16,700 square foot clubhouse with restaurant and banquet faculty, a 3,300 square foot pro shop, a 3,150 square foot maintenance building, and a 1,350 square foot cart barn. The subject property has several vertical improvements which facilitate the country club and golf course. These include a 16,700 gross square clubhouse; 3,330 gross square foot pro shop with garage; 3,150 gross square foot maintenance building and a 1,350 gross square foot cart barn. These square footages were obtained from the town assessor’s website. The clubhouse is a one and two-story wood frame structure built in the 1940. The roof is a flat and hip/gable configuration with asphalt shingles. The first floor of the clubhouse includes a banquet hall which seats up to 225 people; separate restaurant area which seats 108 people; full-service kitchen with walk-in freezer and cooler; restrooms; enclosed patio and offices. The second level includes an additional bar area currently designated for golf members and men’s and women’s locker rooms. There is a small patio area of the second level. The pro shop is located next to the clubhouse. This is a wood frame structure built in 2003 and divided into two spaces. According to public records 1,794 square feet is build out as the pro shop and 1,536 square feet is unfinished garage/storage space. The maintenance building is a 3,150 square foot steel frame metal warehouse built in 1996. The space is divided into two sections and primarily stores the maintenance equipment for the course. Above ground fuel tanks are located to the side of the building. Located adjacent to the maintenance building is the golf cart storage building which has 1,350 square feet built in 1982. HVAC units are located on the roof of the clubhouse. Of the 155 acres a 110-acre area of the Westminster Country Club is classified as 61B private recreation limited protected land. This designation of private parcels restricts the use of land in exchange for a significant reduction in taxes. Under this designation the land cannot be converted to residential, industrial or commercial use. Land may be taken out of this classification by notifying the Town and paying back taxes plus a withdrawal penalty tax. In addition, if chapter 61 lands change use or are put up for sale, the town has the right of first refusal. This provides an opportunity for towns to purchase valuable open space or recreation land thereby preserving the community.