2- The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday August 8, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Golf course remains open after clubhouse fire Continued from page 1 "The golf course is running as normal," said owner Harold Meyers. "We're doing everything we can." Meyers rushed to the scene early Tuesday morning after the alarm company called to tell him a smoke alarm had gone off. He arrived to find his clubhouse engulfed in flames. "I could see, you know, the sky lit up from a distance. My wife was driving and I just couldn't believe it. I was shocked," he said. "By the time we arrived, the fire department was already on scene fighting a fire that was beyond their control. Within a matter of a few hours the clubhouse had completely burnt down." Firefighters from both Milton and Oakville responded to the call at 2:25 a.m., said Oakville Fire Deputy Chief Brian Durdin. The fire was under control after about an hour, Durdin said, but it wasn't until about 6 a.m. this morning that all of the hot spots were out. The 3,000-sq.-ft. clubhouse sits between the two public courses on the Oakville Executive Golf Course site, and housed a restaurant, sitting area and retail items. It had been serving golfers for the past 16 years. "The clubhouse had a very good reputation for fine food, so our golfers are certainly going to miss that," Myers said. He estimates the damage to the clubhouse will be "approaching $1 million." Police have estimated the damage at $500,000. Myers said a temporary trailer will be set up for now, and they hope to build a new clubhouse in time for next spring. Many golfers with early tee-off times heard GRAHAM PAINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER LATER STAGES: Firefighters continue to battle the fire at Oakville Executive Golf Course's clubhouse early yesterday morning, about two hours after it started. Police say early evidence shows the blaze may not have been accidental. They continue to investigate the scene. the news of the fire when they got to the course yesterday. Employees were standing at the entrance explaining the situation and directing people to park in other areas, as the main parking lot was closed off by police tape. "It's very sad," said Adrian Byrne, who was golfing with two friends Tuesday and has been coming to the course for the past two and a half years. "Very saddened to hear about this news." Byrne called the course to try to change his tee-off time yesterday morning, and heard about the fire at that time. "It won't affect our game. Hopefully it won't affect the club either," he said. "We'll keep playing." Yesterday was evidence of that, as foursomes of golfers were playing on every open hole. "We're hours away from having this fire happen, and we're up and running," said golf operations manager and teaching pro, Matt Westover. "Everyone's been very understanding." Westover got the news early yesterday from another employee who opens the course. "We're just kind of reeling a little bit from this, but we're maintaining everything we can," he said. "The main part is that we're still open, we're still here." Halton Police are asking anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity or vehicles in the area shortly before or after 2 a.m. to contact them at 905-825-4747 ext. 2205 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. exotic · urban · classic · contemporary Pain? We can help! 1-877-622-2121 AquaSonix Therapy is a proven treatment program to relieve pain and improve mobility. Treatments covered by extended health insurance plans. Call for more information. Celebrating CANADIAN QUALITY · Durham · Gibbard · Bogdon & Gross · Brunetti · Vogel · Superstyle/Trendline · Villageois · Leda · Dutailier · Leathercraft · AP Industries · Reflections · Bühler · Canadel · Artage · Ferretti and more! DESIGN MANUFACTURE INSTALLATION Imagine... active and pain free cabinetry solutions tailored to specific needs · down to earth prices · high-tech manufacturing with old world craftsmanship and attention to detail AYA KITCHENS OF OAKVILLE Now available in St. Catharines, Hamilton, Oakville, Guelph, Fergus, Mississauga, Toronto. 217 Lakeshore Road East Downtown Oakville Since 1953 www.swissinteriors.com Summer Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 9:30-6 · Fridays 9:30-9 Saturdays 9:30-5 1195 North Service Rd. W., Unit #1 & #2 905.847.1522 · Fax: 905.847.1951 e-mail: oakville@AyAkitchens.com www.AyAkitchens.com 905.844.3530