This fall, the renovated Ridgewood Golf Club Event Center / Clubhouse and community center are scheduled to open in Parma, Ohio. The $12.3 million capital reconstruction of the complex has become one of the largest recreational investments in the city in recent years.
The project is aimed not only at experienced golf players but also at the broad community — the space is intended to be accessible and attractive to everyone. Renovation and construction are proceeding on schedule, with opening planned for October 2025. The golf course continues to operate during the works.
The new facility, covering over 15,000 square feet, includes a lobby, event halls, a lounge area with grill partitions, a modern golf simulator room with six simulators, management offices, a bar, player shops, and additional services. An additional 5,000 square feet will be designated for an open interior courtyard.
The project envisions space for weddings, celebrations, children's events, training sessions, and business meetings. The hall can be transformed for groups of up to 200 people and features a contemporary design with panoramic 14-foot windows offering views of the golf course. To emphasize aesthetics and completeness, landscape architects have even “flipped” the front and back nines of the course so that players’ final shots are visible to guests.
“This is revolutionary for our community. We want this space to become a place where both golf players and those simply looking to spend time with family or friends come together,” said Tony Vannello, director of the city’s Department of Service.
The upgraded infrastructure also includes practical amenities: a new area for golf carts, changing rooms, improved parking with ramps for people with disabilities, and safe pedestrian pathways. The building is designed with various scenarios of limited access in mind (for example, during pandemics) — each part of the complex has dedicated entrances and logistics.
The previous club building was demolished in 2022 due to its emergency condition — it was nearly 100 years old. Higley Construction is carrying out the reconstruction in partnership with the architectural studio American Structurepoint.
To support the renovated complex, the city has already planned the creation of new seasonal jobs and the introduction of a full-time event coordinator position.
An interesting note is that Parma’s city council plans to increase the course fee; however, city officials emphasize that this is not related to the reconstruction costs but simply reflects the overall rising expenses for personnel and maintenance. The game fee will increase by $1: nine holes for city residents will cost $16, and for non-residents — $17.
“This space is not just about sports. It’s about community, hospitality, and comfort. We want every resident to feel that it’s a place created for them,” Vannello concluded.
