Supervisors to discuss golf course rate changes

Some Eagle Valley Golf Course golfers aren't happy with a recent proposal to raise and restructure rates.

Rate changes at the course weren't drastic but did eliminate the popular season pass.

"I'm a senior citizen and a pass holder who plays golf," said Gene Phelps. "If it changes, I probably won't golf as much. I only have so much to spend on recreational purposes, and they're just about to price me out of the golf market.

"The city has a responsibility to make sure that asset is kept in reasonable shape for the people of this city. It's used by a lot of the same people who use the swimming pool, parks and tennis courts.

"Several hundred young people and several hundred if not more senior citizens use the course. It would seem a shame to drive those people away from the golf course."

However, before the rates can be changed, they must be approved by the Carson City Board of Supervisors.

Supervisors will consider the rate restructuring, as well as a $400,000 loan of sorts, Thursday.

"Golfers are pretty upset," said golf course General Manager Mike McGehee. "These are things that we've just changed. Change is hard."

Course officials hope the changes to the golf course rates will allow the financially strapped Eagle Valley Golf Corporation to free up funds to make some necessary course improvements.

The golf corporation needs $186,000 worth of new equipment and about $17,000 to fix the irrigation system on the West Course.

The city plans to advance the golf course $400,000 for those improvements and to augment the golf corporation's savings.

The city refinanced the golf course's debt in 1999 and has extra money in the bank that could be borrowed for improvements, said Carson City Deputy Controller Tom Minton. The city plans to give the golf course two extra years, from 2015 to 2017, to pay off the $400,000.

"The bonds we sold were roughly $2.5 million and they have new debt payments of $200,000 a year," Minton said. "The golf course is paying $240,000 a year to us to retire that debt early. We had a little more money, and the $400,000 will be repaid by extending the lease payment."

Other changes at the golf course include:

- The West Course will be closed for 90 days during the winter. Specific closing dates depend on the weather.

- Punch cards are being expanded to include 25- and 50-play cards. Golfers opting for the 50-play card on the West Course will pay $1,040 ($20.80 a round) for seniors and $1,160 ($23.20 a round) for regular play.

- Walk-up rates for 18 holes on the East Course are going from $21 to $22. Walk-up rates on the West Course are going from $37.50 to $39.

If you go:

What: Carson City Board of Supervisors

When: Thursday, 8:30 a.m.

Where: Community Center's Sierra Room, 851 E. William St.