Woodbury not interested in selling Eagle Valley Golf Course, not yet at least

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• Eagle Valley Task Force report

“In sum, it was a bad year. Any questions?”

That’s how Woodbury City Administrator Clint Gridley introduced the Eagle Valley Golf Course annual report at a council workshop Wednesday.

Gridley said the enterprise was able to cover operating costs but struggled to pay debt and capital expenses.

Continuous conversations about the city’s municipal golf course financials prompted more discussions regarding leasing or selling the space.

Council Member Paul Rebholz, who serves on a task force assigned to study the long-term financial viability of the course, said the group began looking at the “rearview mirror” as well as the “windshield.”

He explained that it’s important to recap last year, but it’s also crucial to put together a two to three-year plan that would generate more revenue at the course.

“We need to get people at the community that play golf to play at the municipal golf course,” Rebholz said.

In 2013, the council will have to make some decisions, he added, referring to the 2014 budget approved one year in advance.

Community Development Director Dwight Picha said it’s also important to remember that Phase 2 of the Comprehensive Plan will open in the next couple of years, bringing more residents and golfers to the area.

“We’re not fully developed yet … it’s a lot better than other communities that are fully developed,” he said.

Chris Soukup, a golfer and Woodbury resident, told the council he’d be interested in buying the course if that were an option.

City officials emphasized that there are still 11 years remaining on the covenant restrictions that require the land to stay a golf course or become a city park.

Rebholz said the task force decided to wait and see what happens in three years before jumping the gun on the sale option.

Sale won’t be the best option at current market values either, Picha added.

“And we have a responsibility to the people who bought their homes there,” Council Member Amy Scoggins said.

But Council Member Christopher Burns said if somebody comes with a thought-provoking plan for the course, then why waste another three years?

“To do that, you really have to be geared up and prepared to go the full distance,” Gridley said.

It’s no small thing, he added, saying it’s a big deal to staff, golf course employees and residents.

City Council did not take action at the workshop.

“I would just say stay tuned, guys,” Rebholz said.

The task force published the annual report in March. It can be found in the attached PDF.

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