Members of the North Battleford Golf and Country Club, led by board president Chad Gartner, gave a presentation at last week’s Battleford town council meeting.
The Golf and Country Club is asking for $150,000 from the town, as part of a $3.7 million upgrade project to take place over 10 years.
Battleford councillors had questions to ask, but made no decision.
Gartner said the 10-year plan includes redesigning some holes, upgrading tee boxes, tree planting to improve fairway drainage, an electric cart compound, an improved practice facility, and a potential clubhouse expansion. A goal of the upgrades would involve minimizing water consumption, and ongoing maintenance.
Gartner said it’s been 20 years since the course’s “last long range plan.”
Course redesign plans involve Browning Designs Inc., which has also worked on Kananaskis Golf and Country Club outside of Calgary.
Other fundraising efforts from the Golf and Country Club include a possible big event every year, such as a concert. The Golf and Country Club is also seeking funds from the City of North Battleford.
Councillors asked questions, including what percentage of the course’s membership lived in Battleford. Gartner said 20 per cent out of a current total of 304, although he said these numbers don’t represent everyone who plays the course.
Gartner said his group is open to funds from the town coming in either a lump sum or a series of payments.
To illustrate how much $150,000 would affect the town’s budget, Chief Administrative Officer John Enns-Wind said the ask would be equivalent to about a five per cent tax increase for Battleford residents, or cutting elsewhere in future budgets.
“We’re not disputing it’s a big ask, we’re not saying you should increase taxes in Battleford by five per cent, although as a resident I’d be willing to pay that,” board member Paula Scherr said. “We get it. We know what the municipalities are up against. It’s an amenity to the town and to the city though.”
