Council to review golf operations

After a three-week hiatus for the holiday season, city council will hold its first session of the New Year on Monday night.

One of the items on council's agenda is a review of the city-owned golf operations during the 2009 season. The city's director of golf services is recommending a change in the way the system is run in Thunder Bay.

The change, if approved, would see the breakeven model for golf services discontinued in favour of a tax-supported model. Tom Forsythe said some years the golf courses have come extremely close to a break even point. But bad weather last summer and the weak economy have led to larger deficits the past few years.

Forsythe said despite the change, the goal is still for golf to be self-sustaining.

Forsythe said he expects that taxpayers will have to continue subsidizing the golf courses for the next few years. The Golf Division is expecting a shortfall of $140,000 for 2009.

Administration is also recommending that $316,000 be added to the 2010 operating budget to fund golf operations and equipment replacement.