The City will issue a request for proposals in the hope of obtaining a five-year contract for the Pine Valley Recreation Complex.
A pine beetle infestation and the sale of the driving range have played a part in the golf course’s decline over the past several years.
A report to council showed the course needs $750,000-$1.2 million for a new irrigation system, driving range, safety netting, and clubhouse improvements.
The current operator hasn’t been able to get the necessary funding because the current two-year contract is too short, as it expires next March.
Some Councillors are worried they are only prolonging a deeper issue for future Councils.
“Assuming we do actually get a bid for the contract that we’re looking for, for the five years. I know that was the problem with the current contract, we were looking for a 10-year contract in the past, and we didn’t get what we wanted, so we’re back at the table again,” laments Councillor Jillian Merrick, “The numbers don’t lie, golf isn’t the business that it used to be, and I know the debate in the community last year was really over the value of this piece of property as a recreation amenity… I’d like to know if there are other options. This is an 18 hole course, could it be a 9 hole course?
The City will now seek a bidder for a 5-year management, operation, and maintenance contract.
The City says it will consider a longer contract if the proposals include significant capital funding.
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