The public Treasure Island, Fla., facility has reported decreased revenues in both golf and tennis, prompting the city’s recreation department to consider rate adjustments or enhancements to increase usage. In addition to a nine-hole golf course, the facility offers eight clay tennis courts, two asphalt tennis courts, a sand volleyball court, basketball court, two shuffleboard courts and a playground.
Cuts in the Recreation Department programs at Treasure Bay Golf & Tennis in Treasure Island, Fla., may be needed when city leaders consider the fiscal 2015 budget next summer, the Seminole (Fla.)-based Tampa Bay Newspapers reported.
“The mayor has asked me when we come up to budget next year to be prepared to have a discussion about Treasure Bay, what we offer out there and what changes or how we can enhance it or add things,” said city manager Reid Silverboard.
The topic came up during a fiscal 2013 fourth-quarter financials report by Finance Director Christine Trovato. The Recreation budget was in the red, resulting in $62,580 less in revenue than budgeted, Newspapers reported.
Golf fee revenue was $24,552 under budget, and golf lessons were $6,342 under budget. Additionally, tennis court fee revenue was $22,011 under budget and tennis lesson revenue was $1,277 under budget, Newspapers reported.
“I think our golf and tennis fees are very reasonable. What you have to remember is that we have a 9-hole, par-3 golf course,” Silverboard said. “So the Sunday golfers aren’t as likely to use our course. There are just fewer people out there that are interested in a par-3 course.”
As far as tennis is concerned, Silverboard said, the facility has similar numbers, Newspapers reported.
“We have our regulars,” he said, “but they’re just not playing as much as they used to. We’ve done things like Glow Golf to increase golf use. (Tennis pro) Phil (Girardi) is very active in getting interest in tennis and (golf pro) Gary (Metzger) is actively applied for grants and gotten golf clubs donated. We just had a bad year last year. I think it’s part of a trend.”
Commissioner Phil Collins said the discussion was “absolutely no reflection on the department. I think they’ve done an outstanding job. What it is, is perhaps less interest in using these facilities. To make them more profitable maybe, if it continues again this year, we should consider adjusting the rates.”
Recreation Director Cathy Hayduke said she believed the rates are fair and said weather played more of a role in the decline of use. Commissioner Carol Coward defended the golf program, especially the junior program, Newspapers reported.
“They have a great kids program,” she said. “On Saturdays, there must be 20 or 30 kids that he (Metzger) has got, teaching them how to be on the course, how to be polite. I think it’s a great thing. It’s a great kids program and those kids are going to grow up.”
In addition to the golf course, eight clay tennis courts, and two asphalt tennis courts, Treasure Bay Golf & Tennis features one sand volleyball court, one basketball court, two shuffleboard courts, a playground and picnic pavilions, Newspapers reported.
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.