Boulder City eyes cost-saving measures at golf courses

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009 | 1:50 a.m.

More news from Boulder City

A budget reduction plan was put into effect Sunday by the Boulder City Council to reduce maintenance costs at Boulder Creek and Municipal golf courses.

City Finance Director Timothy Inch said the plan will be monitored for the next two months to help balance golf course expenses with revenue. If the plan is successful, he said the City Council could consider implementing it permanently.

“We are adjusting expenses and taking steps to adjust maintenance contracts and the contract for the golf professional at Boulder Creek,” Inch said.

Inch said maintenance costs are major expenses, with Boulder Creek Golf Club’s maintenance totaling $1 million and Municipal Golf Course costing about $800,000 annually. The city’s new plan is expected to reduce costs at both courses by a combined $250,000 through the fiscal year that ends in June 2010, he said.

At the Oct. 27 Boulder City Council meeting, City Manager Vicki Mayes said receipts for Boulder Creek were down 18 percent and receipts for the Municipal golf course were down 10 percent for September. Some residents reacted to Mayes’ budget report by saying the council should consider closing both golf courses.

Council member Cam Walker said closing the courses would hurt the city’s coffers because Boulder City would lose operating income and be stuck with utility costs.

“Expenses are there if it’s opened or closes,” Walker said. “It’s time to spend some time with the golf professionals and figure out some alternatives or ideas.”

Inch said he agrees with Walker because the debt to build the courses would still have to be repaid if the courses were to close.

“(We) make budgets, and it’s hard during economic hard times,” Boulder City Mayor Roger Tobler said.

Inch said Boulder City residents are feeling the economy’s pinch, leading them to decrease their time on the golf course. He said both courses are putting together strategic ideas on how to get more people to play, but the loss of maintenance won’t help.

“Reducing costs is going to impact attracting people to come and play,” Inch said. “A decrease in maintenance leads to a loss of people’s desire to play.”

As another possible solution, Council member Linda Strickland suggested closing nine holes of Boulder Creek Golf Course. She said it’s time for the courses to look at different alternatives.

Inch said closing several holes might be an option, but it also raises the question of what to do with the closed holes.

To help work out some of the plan’s kinks, Inch said he and Mayes are meeting with golf professionals from both courses. He said the next meeting is scheduled for the end of November.

“We knew this was a difficult year going in,” Inch said. “Boulder City is not unique or different than any other district in Clark County. We are looking at everything.”

Discussion: 5 comments so far…

By dodgerchuck

11/4/09 at 9:57 p.m.

Suggest removal

boulder creek is the best course in the valley.the staff is very nice there.its always in pristine condition and the greens are fantastic.i pray the proposed cost-cutting measures dont dilute the quality of the experience out there.its unthinkable that they'd close one of the 9 hole courses.please continue to let boulder creek be what it is,the best place to golf in clark county.
By mred

11/5/09 at 9:25 p.m.

Suggest removal

Allow homeless to camp out at the course at night, they would water and fertilize the greens for free, and in the morning they could shower in the clubhouse and work as caddies during the day.
By POWERPLAY

11/5/09 at 11:39 p.m.

Suggest removal

I heard that Mayor Goodman will start bussing them out in the morning.
By Bakersfield

11/5/09 at 11:41 p.m.

Suggest removal

I'd say raise the green fees. They're probably way below market, as most public courses are. Let the users pay the cost to operate, as a privats business does. There's no need for the city to operate recreational facilities at a loss. Whatever the fee is, add a few bucks to it.
By cpo

11/7/09 at 9:25 a.m.

Suggest removal

Here is a novel thought, why not just close it period. Only 5% of boulder residence even play golf, and probably less then that would be hurt by the closure. Close it, and turn it into a park, and when the economy picks up, put a nice office complex out there over looking a park. If the voters choose to reopen it for golf do that.