Course owner Mike Lundy said if the $3.4 million deal with the city of Watertown doesn’t happen, he will keep the course closed next year and move forward with looking at options which include building homes on the land he owns. In November, a majority of Watertown City Council members voted to approve its intent to purchase the golf course, but price tag continues to come up for debate. Council this week voted 3 to 2 for an appraisal to get done. Council member Lisa Ruggiero said she expects council to vote on the purchase at its next meeting before the end of the month.
The deadline for Watertown (N.Y.) to do a $3.4 million deal involving the Watertown Golf Club is the end of the year, WWNY reported.
Owner Mike Lundy said if it doesn’t happen, he will keep the course closed next year and move forward with looking at options which include building homes on the land he owns.
“We’ve had golf in the park for over 100 years. I think that this is one way to ensure it continues. It will also be a good way to attract people to the park and to the city,” said Lisa Ruggiero, city council member.
But the price tag of $3.4 million continues to come up for debate, WWNY reported. On Dec. 5, city council voted 3 to 2 for an appraisal to get done. Council member Pat Hickey sided with Mayor Jeff Smith and council member Sarah Compo Pierce, telling WWNY the public has a right to know the property’s value and doesn’t believe the appraisal will come close to $3.4 million.
But Hickey says you can’t put a value on some items in the deal, including a deed restriction on Ives Hill Country Club. Owner PJ Simao would be compensated for limiting the course to 9 holes instead of the current 18.
Ruggiero calls the appraisal “moot” because it can’t be done before the end of the year, WWNY reported. That’s the deadline for the deal to get done.
“Why do an appraisal when we’re going to be closing on it in two weeks?” Ruggiero asked. “The appraisal process will probably take a good month to find someone. It’ll take another month before it’s completed so it will be into next year.”
Mayor Smith disagreed and said an appraisal is important, calling attention to the deadline of Dec. 31, WWNY reported.
“I wonder what the rush is, It’s a little odd to me,” Smith said. “Nobody would do that in the private sector. We’re spending taxpayer dollars and not doing our due diligence.”
Lundy said the deal needs to get done by the end of the year so that planned tournaments at the Watertown Golf Club can move forward, WWNY reported. If the city doesn’t do it, Lundy said “the Watertown Golf Club won’t open next year and I will look at my options with the property I own, and look at building houses.”
Ruggiero expects city council to vote on the purchase in two weeks at its next meeting.
Does the Watertown Golf Club make money? That answer should be known Dec. 9 as council members Ruggiero, Hickey and Cliff Olney look at the club’s books only by signing a non-disclosure agreement.
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