The M.D. of Opportunity is staring down a massive $400,000 repair bill for the Eagle Point Golf Course clubhouse deck after its insurance provider denied a claim, pointing the finger at faulty workmanship by the original builders.

During the regular council meeting on July 15, municipal administration revealed that the public deck requires a complete tear-down and rebuild. Assessors discovered that the floor joists holding up the structure have entirely rotted out.

The severe water damage occurred because the original contractors laid tile directly over a weatherproofing membrane that was far too thin to properly protect the wood underneath.

“It shouldn’t have been tiled to begin with, and I think it just came down to purely faulty workmanship,” an administration official told council.

Because the damage is the direct result of poor construction practices rather than an unforeseen accident, the municipality’s insurance company refused to cover the costs, leaving the local government to foot the bill. To cover the extensive repairs, administration asked the council to prepare a $400,000 budget allowance.

The high price tag immediately sparked frustration around the council table.

“This is a hell of an expense for a project that’s not even old,” Councillor Darlene Jackson said. “Who built this? Didn’t anyone inspect this when it was being built?”

When Jackson questioned why a deck replacement would cost nearly half a million dollars, administration explained that a commercial, public-use deck involves heavy engineering, complex structural supports, and specialized weather membranes that go far beyond standard residential framing.

With the summer golf season in full swing, the deck is currently closed off to the public due to safety concerns. Jackson argued the repairs are highly time-sensitive, noting that the clubhouse patio is a major draw for local golfers and visitors looking to sit outside.

To speed up the rebuild, administration recommended bypassing the standard, lengthy public tendering process. Instead, the council directed administration to fast-track the project by seeking quick quotes from pre-approved contractors through municipal purchasing networks.

Administration will gather the fast-tracked quotes and bring the final, exact numbers back to a future council meeting for official budget approval before construction begins.

Armaan Khanna 

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter