SCOTCH PLAINS — The recreation commission began discussions this week on plans for a top-to-bottom renovation of the historic clubhouse at the Shady Rest Golf and Country Club.

A commission subcommittee headed by Commissioner Tom Donatelli, who also is the group’s liaison to the Preserve Shady Rest Committee, is developing a master plan to guide the multi-phase renovations to the building, which is about 275 years old. In its heyday, the site played host to such popular African-American entertainers as Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway and Count Basie. Shady Rest was founded 104 years ago as the first African-American-owned country club in the United States.

The aim of the renovation project, Mr. Donatelli said at the commission’s meeting on Monday night, is to “turn the building into a useful building on all four floors.” Immediate attention will be given to the building’s infrastructure — plumbing, air-conditioning and electrical — which he said are in “dire need” of upgrading. On a longer-term basis, renovations to the basement, which housed a nightclub and speakeasy in the 1920s and 1930s, are on the drawing board, as are upgrades to the second and third floors, which Mr. Donatelli described as being in “complete disarray.” It is hoped that the building’s museum displays can be expanded as part of the project.

The commission will work with historic architect Barton Ross, who earlier was involved with the renovations to the Frazee House, on design work and construction plans and will seek nearly $1 million in various grants to finance the project. A $75,000 grant for initial design work, another $150,000 to finance the infrastructure work and a $750,000 grant for the actual construction will be sought.

Commission members were supportive of the plans, but several cautioned about the importance of making sure that all grant applications are complete and in line with various rules and regulations governing grant disbursement. The Preserve Shady Rest Committee will apply for the grants but, if received, those funds would likely have to be transferred to the township government to pay the contractors selected to work on the project.

Commission Vice-Chair Colleen Gialanella emphasized the importance, given the size of the grants being sought, of making sure all application documents are in perfect order. She said she did not want the commission or the Preserve Shady Rest Committee to find themselves missing some critical documents or finding that some small matter was overlooked late in the application process. Mr. Donatelli said it was important to develop detailed guidelines to ensure that future commission members and future township officials follow through on the plans.

Deputy Mayor MattAdams said he and Recreation Director Julie Buonaguro will meet with the township attorney to start the process and get some legal perspective on the coming grant applications and the eventual renovation project.