Meadowcreek staff have implemented several cost recovery efforts in order to maximize competitiveness in the local golf market, including reviewing annual fees every winter, benchmarking competitor offerings, partnering with other Parks and Recreation programs for marketing, and engaging the community on social media. In addition to these efforts, the City currently contracts for concessions and golf instruction lessons, and utilizes volunteers to collect range balls and perform other miscellaneous services. These efforts are commendable and represent a commitment to running a cost-effective operation; however, there are few remaining opportunities to decrease overhead costs without eliminating staff positions or impairing golf course operations.

In short, the golf course’s current fiscal trajectory is unsustainable over the long term without subsidy support from the City. In addition to operating costs, the City will need to make capital investments in the golf course including irrigation line replacements, additional drainage in bunkers, cart path maintenance, and additional drainage on older greens. These expenditures will be necessary to preserve the golf course as a community asset and ensure sufficient funding is available to provide quality golf services. It is therefore recommended that the City formalize a cost recovery goal for golf and commit to regularly subsidizing golf operations in order to support the golf course and ensure services can be provided at an acceptable level.

Parks and Recreation staff are in the process of issuing a Request for Proposals to contract out the maintenance operations at Meadowcreek Golf Course.  Staff anticipate having a contractor in place by the middle of the autumn of 2018.  This follows the retirement of the remaining full-time City maintenance staff at the facility.  This is an effort to significantly improve course conditions and playability that will lead to growth in rounds of golf and further enhance revenue streams.

Parks and Recreation staff are in the process of issuing a Request for Proposals to contract out the maintenance operations at Meadowcreek Golf Course.  Staff anticipate having a contractor in place by the middle of the autumn of 2018.  This follows the retirement of the remaining full-time City maintenance staff at the facility.  This is an effort to significantly improve course conditions and playability that will lead to growth in rounds of golf and further enhance revenue streams.

Parks and Recreation