Council tables green fees increase

Deer Park Golf Course fees appeared on the way up again this year, but Yorkton Council chose Monday to take a second look before making the final decision.

"A review of the Deer Park Golf Course fees and charges is completed each year following the golf season and during the budget process for the following year. The review is completed to ensure the fees are relative to the operating expenses as well as remain competitive," explained Darren Spelay, Recreation Services Manager with the City.

The recommendations before the regular meeting of Council Monday included;

*No increase in the Junior Season Pass Categories or Junior Green Fees

A range of three to five per cent increases in all other Season Pass categories

Increase the Adult 9-hole fee from $26.00 to $27.00 and the Adult 18-hole from $40.00 to $42.00

Three per cent increase in all other green fee categories.

A range of three to six per cent increases in the Promo and Tournament categories

But Councillor James Wilson said he was worried fees were getting too high at the course, noting he has heard from others in the community "it's getting to expensive for a family to take part."

Wilson said past Council have wanted the course to move toward "a 100 per cent cost recovery," but that has not happened. He added "there's a shortfall again this year."

Wilson said it needs to be remembered it is a municipal course.

"It's no use having a facility that's not accessible by the public," he said, adding "it's a public course, not a private one."

Wilson said the City "is not in the business of golf courses," but added "we are in the business of recreational facilities."

Coun. Ross Fisher said Cook Municipal Course at Prince Albert actually cut rates, and as a result the number of rounds the last couple of years "have gone up."

By contrast memberships and rounds have both been declining at Deer Park, said Fisher.

Wilson said a review of operating costs and revenues needed to be undertaken.

"Do we want to keep increasing our rates if it's not feasible for people to play?" he asked.

Mayor Bob Maloney said he's been on the course when it is almost empty of golfers. He said it was time the City needs "to do something a little different to get people back on the course.

"We need to cut our rates to get local residents back enjoying our course. It's a City course and we need to get people out enjoying it."

Council finally requested City Administration bring back some alternative fee structures for a meeting in March.