HAMMOND | Just prior to taking office in 2004, Mayor-elect Thomas McDermott Jr. told The Times his first priority for the Lost Marsh Golf Course was building a clubhouse to replace the double-wide trailer serving as the pro shop and snack bar.

At the time, then-Project Manager Jim Bennett estimated the Lost Marsh clubhouse could cost as much as $2 million.

Last week, Hammond's City Council approved a $12.5 million bond issue that includes a clubhouse for Lost Marsh at an estimated $8.5 million. Voting against the measure were 5th District Councilman Dan Repay, 6th District Councilman Homero "Chico" Hinojosa and At-Large Councilman Robert Markovich.

Markovich said the decision was a tough call. "Most golf courses have a clubhouse," he said. But he had not seen a plan for the building. "Are we building a clubhouse or a Taj Mahal?" he asked.

Hinojosa, meanwhile, wondered if the city "wasn't falling into another trap" because of the slag foundation. "Who's going to foot the cost for another $10 million?" he asked, worried about the clubhouse incurring significant overruns like the golf course.

Markovich questioned whether the experience of surrounding facilities had been considered.

Port Authority attorney Kevin Smith replied the golf course was almost breaking even and construction experts had explored the slag issues. What concerned port officials was a 30 percent drop in large golf outings of 100 or more because of the lack of dining facilities.

Later in the week, Repay explained his opposition. "I understood the need for a clubhouse from the Port Authority's perspective, but I think fundamentally government shouldn't be getting into banquet facilities," he said.

Smith said the clubhouse's primary mission will be to provide amenities to golfers but it will be available to the community for showers, weddings and similar events. Smith said the intent is not to hurt other banquet facilities. "The demand is there," he said.

North Township Trustee Frank Mrvan agreed, saying the Wicker Park Social Center is booked through 2008 and into 2009 and 2010. Built in 1976 with federal revenue-sharing dollars, the social center had been designed on a grander scale but later downsized. Best information is the cost was between $1.5 million and $2 million, he said. In 2005, the facility took in $97,500 compared to expenses of $39,500.

Mrvan said Wicker Park is aggressive in pursuing its wedding business. "It's so important, it's vital to our existence," he said.

Others say competition from public golf courses has added to the troubles of private golf courses nationwide.

"It has been a concern of the golf course industry," said Schererville attorney James Wieser, who has represented private golf courses in the area that have or are closing their doors.

"With others closing, there are fewer golf courses to go to," he said of Lost Marsh's chance for success.