The borough is exploring its financial options for the golf course, including leasing operations in an effort to bring it into the black. So far in 2013, the golf course is operating at a $23,750 deficit, and the borough manager noted that course accessibility has been limited due to construction at the sewer treatment plant and stormwater management upgrades in the area.
The borough is considering leasing Waynesboro (Pa.) Municipal Golf Course to get operations out of the hole, the Waynesboro (Pa.) Record Herald reported.
Waynesboro Borough Council members discussed the future of the course on November 6 after Assistant Borough Manager Jason Stains gave a financial report from the last three years at the nine-hole course, the Herald reported.
“For some time, there has been discussion among the rec board regarding what the future holds for the golf course,” Stains said. “In 2010, the year ended with a deficit of $20,595; in 2011, it ended with a deficit of $49,344; and in 2012, it ended with a profit of $19—only because it was offset by a transfer of $30,000 from the pool fund.”
So far in 2013, the golf course is operating at a $23,750 deficit, which has been offset by another $7,500 transfer from the pool fund, Stains said. Members of the recreation board feel the pool should no longer assist the failing golf course, the Herald reported.
“It’s time to explore options, maybe go out for lease and see if there is any profit to be made,” Stains added.
Mayor Richard Starliper said he knows of a few groups that may be interested in leasing the course. “I tried this 30 years ago,” he said. “We had it approved until the last minute, then it disappeared.”
Borough Manager Lloyd Hamberger said there are multiple ways a lease agreement can be handled, including flat fees or percentages of gross revenue. He added he has been researching the possibilities, and noted, “right now it’s tough for people to get into these things. There isn’t a big market out there for this.”
Accessibility to the course has been limited the past few years, Hamberger said, with major construction at the sewer treatment plant and stormwater management upgrades in the area, the Herald reported.
Councilmen C. Harold Mumma and Ben Greenawalt expressed dissatisfaction with the course’s management. Greenawalt said course use was expected to rise three years ago with new management, but feels it is “worse now than it was.”
“The only way the golf course has a chance is if the borough puts money into it,” Denny Cordell of the borough’s recreation board said. “That’s been shut down because the borough doesn’t have the money. The best solution is to lease it out and find someone who is willing to get it and run it like a business. It’s going to take a lot of work.”
Closing the course would save $30,000 a year, Mumma said.
Councilman Mike Cermak Sr. said he had heard from constituents there are benefits of having a golf course in town. He suggested keeping it open while looking into other options, the Herald reported.
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