Foulds says golf course sale not the right direction for city

While some of his colleagues are lining up to host a golf-course fire sale, Current River Coun. Andrew Foulds says selling the municipal entities is nothing more than a knee-jerk reaction.

Foulds, whose ward includes the storied Strathcona Golf Course, one of three the city on Monday will consider selling to private interests, said the discussion is just one example of a much "broader and systemic issue", an attack on all public services.
Foulds said he feels strongly that public services – like the city golf courses, parks, the Canada Games Complex and the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium – benefit everyone, whether they use the service or not.

"When we pool our tax dollars it allows all of us to benefit from economies of scale. We all get far more benefit than we pay," he said in an email to tbnewswatch.com, reacting to the release of a consultant's report many believe are leading council down the path to sell one, two or all three of its golf courses.

Red River Coun. Brian McKinnon and at-large Coun. Rebecca Johnson on Wednesday both called for the sale of at least one course, with Johnson stating Strathcona, Municipal and Chapples golf courses should all be placed on the chopping block.

"We pay to fund a suite of different services, including the Complex, the Auditorium, outdoor rinks, parks, libraries, recycling, arenas, ball fields, public art, EMS, sidewalk plowing, roads, road maintenance, and golf that make this community more attractive, more liveable and more enjoyable. It creates a richer experience for those who live here and in particular our green spaces are the envy of the province."

Foulds went on to point out that throughout people's lives, public service use change, and questioned where the charge is coming from.

"I don't understand this current attack on public services. According to our citizens' survey, over 70 per cent of people feel they get value for their tax dollars. Eighty-six per cent are satisfied or very satisfied with service."

Foulds said each of the city courses has its own unique qualities and benefits, that appeal to golfers of every skill level, age and their spread-out locations make at least one course convenient to most parts of Thunder Bay.

The costs are not out of line, he said.

"Forty-five holes for the price our citizens pay is very decent," Foulds said. "The Quality of life and health benefits for our seniors and the attraction of youth to active lifestyles benefit us all."

Foulds also pointed out the investments the city has made to the courses in recent years, including six figures to install an irrigation system at Strathcona, calling it a waste of precious taxpayer dollars to simply sell the course and have a developer rip it up to put in housing.

"It doesn't make sense," Foulds said.

"This attack on services threatens the very fabric that makes this community great. As a councillor, I am interested in building a greater community, not dismantling it."