Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - It's been a project years in the making, but finally, the ShotClub Social Buffalo golf-centered entertainment facility is set to tee off on construction this coming spring.
Doug Swift, CEO of ShotClub Social Buffalo says they are in the process of working with the City of Buffalo to get all of the zoning and planning approvals finalized before finishing up the construction documents.
"Our goal is to put a shovel in the ground on this project by late spring, early summer, opening up about 12-to-15 months after that. So Summer of 2026 we're shooting for opening," said Swift in an interview with WBEN.
Powered by OnCore Golf Technologies, the $30 million, 45,000 square-foot facility will contain 60 year-round, indoor/outdoor, golf driving range bays, complemented with fine casual in-seat dining. This family entertainment center will appeal to all ages and skill levels, and also include duckpin bowling, multiple bars, a full kitchen, and a host of amusement/arcade games, simulators and event spaces.
"This is going to be a really user friendly, family friendly environment. It doesn't matter whether you've ever played golf or not, you'd be able to come out here and have a great time with your friends and family. And at the same time, enjoy top notch food and beverage service right at your table," Swift said.
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The site is set to be located at 555 Elk Street near Bailey Avenue, and it is an old industrial Brownfield site that's been remediated.
"We are going to be taking eight-and-a-half acres of the Eastern end of that parcel. It's directly off the 190, it's going to be very visible from there, not far from downtown and where all the other action of the city is happening," Swift noted.
The project is also anticipated to create around 300 jobs in the City of Buffalo.
Back in 2019, OnCore Golf in Buffalo had announced plans for the original project that included a fully-integrated hotel along the Buffalo River. While the project is still set to be located along the Buffalo River on Elk Street, Swift says the COVID-19 pandemic actually allowed developers to look into the plans a little deeper.
"In retrospect, we feel we are a little bit blessed by the delay that COVID caused, because it gave us a chance to really analyze the project from a very practical perspective. We still have the 45,000 square foot indoor facility, we still have multiple entertainment options, the golf is all the same," Swift noted.
What has changed, though, is the proposed hotel with the project is now off the table.
"The hotel industry has struggled since COVID, and the demand just isn't there. It seemed like a good idea at the time five years ago, but now we're eliminating that. The costs of construction keep going up-and-up-and-up, and we've been fortunate to be able to find an economic driver that keeps this project alive and going. And despite the increased cost, it still makes very good sense for us," Swift said.
While development of this project is still in its early stages, Swift says the plans are to have more information available for the public through their website.
"We've been meeting with the city officials on a regular basis here, and everybody's just super excited about this project, and wants to see it be successful, and wants to help out making it [happen]," Swift added.
