Southport resident Paul G. Coulombe wants Boothbay region golfers to know that despite a legal dispute between the Bank of Maine and former owner James Reeves, nothing will interfere with the scheduled May 22 opening of the Boothbay Harbor Country Club.

Coulombe said he is making plans for major changes to the facility because he wants to help the Boothbay region and make it a more attractive place. “I am investing to help the community,” he said. Coulombe said he has already invested $4 million in the course.

“I have gotten some emails from friends wondering if the Reeves/Bank of Maine lawsuit would cause a problem,” Coulombe said. “My lawyers tell me it is frivolous. I have a clean title and a deed and title insurance. I own it.”

Coulombe said he has also purchased the former Kenniston Hill Inn property at the intersection of Route 27 and Country Club Road to give him access to the Route 27 and create a new entrance for the club. “I love the big trees on that property,” he said.

According to Coulombe, he will soon have a crew at the club to redo the bunkers and tees in addition to opening a driving range alongside the 18th fairway. Under former owners Harris Golf, that is where a driving range was located. Another purchase, George Whitten's home, is located at the end of the proposed driving range.

Other future plans include building a new clubhouse with a restaurant, a tennis court and a swimming pool, he said.

Reeves' company filed suit challenging the way the bank foreclosed and sold the property on January 28. The suit claims the bank did not conduct a proper auction. Lawyers for the bank, in a sworn affidavit, denied the claim. They said they tried to auction it, but when neither of the two registered bidders offered a bid, the bank bid $1.5 million to gain title to the land.

Coulombe said he later bought the property from the bank at a private sale for $1.4 million.

Neither Reeves nor his lawyer could be reached immediately for comment.