NLV leaders weigh access to city-owned golf course

By Erin Dostal

Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2010 | 1:50 a.m.

More than 200 Aliante residents gathered Monday night to discuss a possible North Las Vegas ordinance that would reinforce current golf course policies in the community and restrict usage by non-golfers.

Many Sun City Aliante residents have been using the Aliante Golf Course for leisure activities, including walking their dogs or biking. The golf course currently has a policy that prohibits these activities, but the proposed ordinance would restrict the activities by law.

No draft for the ordinance has yet been written, officials said.

The public meeting was held at Aliante Station and lasted nearly two hours. The North Las Vegas City Council had the item set for its Aug. 4 special meeting, but decided to continue it until after Monday’s meeting to gather more feedback from the public.

Although the intended ordinance would restrict access, many residents still expressed concerns that the area would become a park.

City Manager Maryann Ustick said the city never intended to make the golf course a public park with full access, but if the ordinance restricting usage didn't pass, a discussion would likely come up for other options for the area.

During the meeting, some residents expressed interest in increasing public use on the golf course, while others said they hoped the city would adopt the ordinance banning access to non-golfers altogether.

Those in favor of more public use for the golf course say that because they bought homes on the course, they should be able to use it before golfers begin their tee times and after the course closes at dusk. Those in favor of banning walkers and others who aren’t playing golf cite safety issues – among other concerns – they say would come with not restricting access.

Some expressed worry that if more access were allowed, people wouldn’t clean up after dogs or would damage greens, creating a greater cost of upkeep for the course and destroying the serene views they paid premiums for when purchasing their homes.

Resident Bob Borgersen, an outspoken proponent of restricted access to the course, sarcastically said he thought some could benefit from the golf course being more open: the homeless and ice cream truck operators.

“Are we going to put up a sign that says ‘kids welcome?’” Borgersen asked.

North Las Vegas Parks and Recreation Director Mike Henley said that if the course were open to the public, it would be available to everyone.

“We can’t discriminate on who could use that golf course or not,” he said. “You can’t, by law, isolate the use to Sun City or Club Aliante.”

Resident Bruce Weiler was in favor of being able to use the golf course as a place to walk. He said he likes to walk on the course, but only after golfers have left and before the course opens. He said local residents don’t cause trouble.

“Don’t penalize me for taking a walk late at night,” he said. “We really take pride in this golf course.”

During the forum, several residents complained that city leaders already had made up their minds and that the meeting was for show. Mayor Shari Buck interrupted the forum to say that wasn’t the case.

“This decision has not been made,” she said.

Councilman Richard Cherchio and Councilwoman Anita Wood also attended the meeting to listen to residents’ concerns. Aliante is divided between their wards.

Acting City Manager Maryann Ustick said the proposed ordinance would be discussed the city council at its Sept. 1 special meeting, where they would receive direction from staff.

CORRECTION: This story originally said the proposed ordinance would allow the golf course to be used by the public as a park. The proposal on which the council will provide direction Sept. 1 would prohibit non-golfers from entering the golf course. | (August 11, 2010)