Ogden mayor defends Mount Ogden Golf Course scrutiny
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1 comment [ View ]By MATTHEW GODFREY
Guest commentary
Why is the city asking questions about the Mount Ogden Golf Course now?
This is not a new issue. We have been working to solve the subsidy and debt of the golf course since I've been mayor. When I first took office, I received numerous complaints about the deteriorating condition of Mount Ogden Golf Course, along with many other concerns.
We made dramatic changes, invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into course improvements, purchased new golf carts, etc., in an effort to help the course break even or make money. While everyone agrees the course is in the best shape it's ever been in, we have not made any progress in eliminating the yearly shortfall.
Two years ago, our city auditor told us we could no longer borrow from various city funds to pay for the losses and debt at the golf course. We were required to develop a debt repayment plan. This means that we now have to come up with real money to pay for the ongoing operational shortfalls and current debt. We do not have a funding source to do this. This is why we have to find a viable long-term solution as quickly as possible.
* Why not focus on other issues first, like the subsidy at the Eccles Conference Center?
The Eccles Conference Center is a county, not city, facility. The conference center board has made tremendous progress reducing that deficit. About 18 months ago, we entered into an agreement that eliminates all city subsidy to that building over the next two years.
To summarize, we have focused on the conference center and have eliminated our subsidy.
* Why are there only four alternatives?
We hope many more ideas come from the community that will offer viable solutions. We have received a lot of input, some of it useful and some not. We are exploring many of the ideas that have been provided by community members.
The problem is real. Some want to pretend it doesn't exist and that there is an ulterior motive. We have provided all of the data and financials for public scrutiny and input. We have nothing to hide.
It's critical that we stay focused on the real issue. We don't have enough rounds being played at Mount Ogden to make it work. We had more rounds being played at our nine-hole course, El Monte, than at our 18-hole course, Mount Ogden!
We have a revenue problem. The course is just too difficult for the average golfer. We know there is a group that loves it just as it is, but unfortunately, it's only half of the number needed and less than half of what the other 18-hole courses in the area see.
* What about hiring a company to manage the golf course?
We would love this option. We have talked to several such groups over the years. No one has shown any interest. If someone came forward with the experience and financial capability to run the golf course for us, that would be an ideal solution.
* Why don't we just forgive the debt?
This is real money, not just numbers on a page. We have borrowed money from funds like the Perpetual Care Cemetery Fund to cover the losses and/or the original construction costs of the course (which still have not been paid off).
If we didn't pay the principal or interest on that money, we would be taking money from a fund that is needed to maintain the cemetery in perpetuity. It may not even be legal to do that!
* Why does the course have to lease carts from the city's fleet department?
It doesn't have to. Golf managers can lease or buy privately if they choose.
* Why don't we just market it better?
We are doing the best we know how. We have an exceptional team that is great at stretching our marketing dollars. They have a marketing budget and spend it the way they think provides the best return.
If they believed there were some marketing technique that would more than pay for itself, we would all be open to trying that.
All of the professionals we have consulted tell us this would likely be a waste of money because our course does not appeal to the average golfer.
* Why don't we pay for this out of the general fund like we would a park?
We don't have general fund money to pay for it without increasing taxes or reducing services somewhere else.
When this golf course was sold to the community, it was supposed to be self-sustaining after the millions of dollars were spent to build it. That has not been the case, and we now have to find a way to fund it or do something different.
* Why can't we just do a small renovation of the golf course instead of the $6 million to $8 million version?
The irrigation system is 25 years old, and if we start moving dirt, we will have to replace it. It would probably cost more to make modifications and patch the irrigation system together. A new system will cost between $2 million and $3 million.
I have not talked to anyone who thinks the clubhouse is OK. In order to host tournaments, weddings, etc., we need to build a new one that will cost $1.2 million to $2 million.
So even if we were able to do minimal dirt moving (which isn't likely, according to the experts), it's very expensive to renovate the course.
Please go to www.ogdencity.com to get more infor-mation or to give us your ideas on what we should do.
Godfrey is mayor of Ogden.
How about just selling the golf course? I don't see any dire need for the Odgen city to be using taxpayer dollars to support a golf course, and it has become a financial failure.
When something isn't necessary, and you're losing money on it (especially money that is not your own), the prudent and responsible thing to do is to get rid of it and save the future money you would lose on it.
Would this make some golfers unhappy? Yes. But again, what essential public need do these golfers have for a publicly funded golf course? Certainly they enjoy golf, and some may not be able to afford as much golfing at a private course. But I enjoy going to Jazz games, and can't afford to buy tickets all the time, so should the city buy Jazz tickets so I can attend the games? Of course not. It's not the government's place to do that. Just like it's not the government's place to provide its citizens with golf courses.