City of Chelan Parks board meets to discuss options for golf course

CHELAN - In a January meeting, City of Chelan Parks and Recreation Director Karen Sargeant and the Parks Board met with representatives from various local golf associations to brainstorm ideas for the golf course, after presenting them with an array of information.

Sargeant gave the attendees information regarding budget data, private management company information and some ideas to generate revenue.

On Wednesday, Feb. 13 all met again including Lake Chelan Municipal Golf Course staff, to continue brainstorming ideas that could perhaps be implemented at the golf course. This time Sargeant, focussed on presenting the results on a survey she sent out to other municipal golf courses in the state.

Thirty-seven municipal courses responded to survey which questioned them about their management, maintenance, cart usage, cart storage, food services, alcohol license, coolers, a course Marshall/Ranger and a cart accountability system.

The survey was mainly composed of “yes” or “no” questions, with a couple of follow up questions if they answered “yes.” Seventy-two percent of those surveyed answered “no” to being city managed, however, most of the time the city maintains it (78%). Seventy-four percent said they do not have private cart storage, however, 61 percent of them said they do allow private cart usage in their course. Everybody but a handful had a cart accountability system of some kind such as a waiver or rental agreement. Most of the courses said that they do not allow coolers and 31 percent said they allow small coolers. In regard to having a course Marshall or Ranger, 86 percent answered “yes” which usually enforce the course’s rules.

Who should manage the golf course seemed to be a huge topic of discussion during the night’s meeting. Sargeant mentioned that there was a lot of hesitation on privately management companies taking over. “The only reason I gave you the information was to show you these are the major companies in the state of Washington that privately manage golf courses, I am not saying one way or another on it,” she clarified.

A member of the Lake Chelan Golf Association stated that the course would lose control if a private company takes over. “We have a great product up there, we got the staff and ability to do this and make the City some money,” said LCGC PGA Professional Jim Oscarson. Others also expressed their concerns, to Sargeant all feedback was good to have. After hearing from everyone, it was clear that no one wants the golf course to be handed off to a managing company.

“I know they do consulting on golf course development maybe that’s what I ask from them, I will just give them a whole bunch of questions that you guys brought up tonight and ask them if they can give information on these things and we’ll go from there,” she said.
 

Talks about having a special resident rate or having seasonal rates will continue as they look into fees that could potentially kick in for 2020.

Parks Update:
Karen Sargeant resigned from her position as Chelan Parks and Recreation Director on Monday, February 20. Mayor Mike Cooney stated that the City will start looking for someone to fill the position, and that the job posting will be out shortly.