GreatHorse says it’s working with Hampden to get ‘all necessary approvals’ for banquet center expansion, but critics of exclusive country club say otherwise
A lawyer for GreatHorse says the golf and country club expanded its Starting Gate banquet facility in anticipation of the Town of Hampden bringing water and sewer service to the Springfield suburb, leaving the exclusive “lifestyle club” susceptible to potential state violations. But after facing increasing pressure from the public, town officials late last year withdrew their application for a $2 million state grant that would have paid for part of the estimated $4.8 million project to bring sewer service to Hampden’s west side business district. The area includes GreatHorse, Rediker Software, restaurants, stores and other commercial facilities.