CARRABASSETT VALLEY – Groundbreaking for a new 5,000-square-foot clubhouse at Sugarloaf Mountain Golf Course was held last week.

The course is owned by the town of Carrabassett Valley and is leased to Sugarloaf Mountain Corp. Both entities are funding this project through an amended lease agreement.

Construction will be substantially completed by April 15, according to a news release issued for the groundbreaking.

The initial cost of the project was pegged at $800,000. Voters approved an additional $167,000 for improvements at a special town meeting Wednesday.

The clubhouse is being constructed to complement the course, rated the No. 1 golf course in Maine by Golf Digest Magazine for the last 17 years.

Architect Rick Goduti of Goduti and Thomas Architects of Portland designed the clubhouse. A construction contract has been awarded to Adams General Construction of New Portland to complete the project.

The clubhouse will feature a pro shop, locker rooms, telecommunications area, kitchen, dining room/lounge, porch and a patio area. The dining room area will accommodate 60 people inside and 100 including the patio and porch areas.