The president of Lakehead University Student Union says a proposed deal to lease school land to the Thunder Bay Country Club is a no-go in his eyes.
Michael Snoddon on Friday said the 6.42 acres of land in question, deemed hazard land and therefore rendered unavailable for building, is an integral part of the university’s campus and should not be turned into a driving range.
“That land is used by faculty and students in classes and there have been proposals for having outdoor classrooms built in that area,” Snoddon said.
“So we are standing behind the academics, rather than the business interests of the university.”
The property is across the river from the university, adjacent to the golf course, where a condominium unit and new clubhouse is presently under construction.
Snoddon said it’s eerily reminiscent of a proposed three-way land swap six years ago between the university, the golf course and Lakehead Public Schools, who wanted to build a high school on 60 acres of land near the university on Oliver and Golf Links roads, but ultimately wound up opening Superior Collegiate on High Street.
“Students stood up then and said no, we don’t want this land to go to the golf course and here we are again defending the land of the university,” said Snoddon, in his final day in office at LUSU.
“This is for a quick grab. And I think the university does own shares of the golf course and they have an interest in this as well. We’re calling out the university and saying you’re just trying to make a quick buck on land that you can’t develop. Leave it for people to enjoy, rather than allowing an elitist sport to bulldoze our campus.”
Snoddon pointed out the cheaper golf rates being offered to students – he couldn’t confirm how much of a discount is in play – only benefit a small number of people.
“Only full-time students who are under the age of 25, so mature students and part-time students are left out. And the scholarships being offered by the golf course can easily be offered by the student union,” said Snoddon.
LUSU’s board of directors on April 5th passed a motion opposing the deal.
Tom Warden, Lakehead’s athletics director, said at this stage the deal is no more than a proposal from the golf course that bears further investigation.
“It’s something that is in the proposal form and something that nothing has been decided, that’s for sure,” said Warden, adding the school’s golf team would gain access to the driving range facility should it ultimately go ahead.
“I think it’s important that all of our stakeholders, students included, of course, are listened to and considered before anything is done.”
A call to Thunder Bay Country Club president Bob Swan on Friday was not immediately returned.
