WESTBOROUGH – Last October, the Civic Kitchen & Drink restaurant at the Westborough Country Club closed to repair the damage caused by a fire. It was due to open this spring.
Civic Kitchen & Drink opened in 2016. However, because of a building assessment done by the town, the Civic Kitchen & Drink has closed for good.
During its Tuesday, Jan. 24, meeting, the Select Board decided not to pursue a renewal of the restaurant’s lease, which is due to expire on March 1.
The golf course and pro shop will open as usual this spring.
“We’re definitely keeping the golf club open,” said Town Manager Kristi Williams.
According to Williams, it would cost around $800,000 just to make repairs.
“I was disappointed” about the restaurant not being able to renew its lease, said Select Board Chair Ian Johnson. “We had a successful lessee … the town’s been leasing out a restaurant for close to 50 years.”
Williams said the Recreation Department is exploring options such as food trucks.
The board discussed forming a committee to determine the future use of the building.
Johnson said the site has between 7,000 and 8,000 square feet, and “much of it unused.”
“My hope is to do this quickly,” said Johnson.
Details of the proposed committee will be brought forth at a future board meeting.
Town Meeting articles
The Westborough Country Club plans to use some of its earnings to make several purchases.
The Recreation Department is presenting three articles in this spring’s Annual Town Meeting warrant regarding these purchases:
- An indoor golf simulator ($50,000)
- Replacing a utility vehicle ($50,000)
- Replacing a rough mower ($95,000)
All three articles request a transfer of funds from the club’s earnings account, and all three articles require a simple majority vote.
The Annual Town Meeting will convene on March 25 at 9 a.m. at Westborough High School.