Council to discuss Coral Oaks Golf Course
Cape Coral City Council will look at ways the Coral Oaks Golf Course, which has been a drain on city revenues for years, can operate better, more efficiently and perhaps even make money for the city.
Wednesday’s discussion comes in the wake of a meeting in October, after which city staff initiated a comprehensive operational review of the municipal course.
Council requested the review after rejecting a resolution to outsource the maintenance functions of the course to save money.
The operational review was conducted by Richard Singer with NGF Consultants.
According to a memo from Assistant City Manager Connie Barron, the report provides a thorough review of the golf course operations as well as the golf industry as a whole. While the report has many positive observations about Coral Oaks, it also identifies challenges moving forward.
In the report, NGF identified five important actions that the city can take right now to improve Coral Oaks performance:
* Commit to completing $625,000 to $800,000 in needed capital projects over the next five years, and begin planning for other investments like driving range improvement and clubhouse expansion.
* Consider modifying golf course maintenance to include the hiring of a third-party maintenance contractor or a revised contract labor arrangement;
* Enhance expertise in the technology that supports operations (point of sales software, website, etc.), and use these platforms to enhance the marketing and promotion to less frequent users;
* Increase focus on new player development and beginner programs, especially with juniors and young adults;
* Consider investments to help modernize and “liven up” facilities like the driving range cover and kiosk, patio expansion, bar addition and theme upgrade to broaden appeal.
Barron said in the memo that when determining how to proceed, council should take into account that Coral Oaks is not a “profitable” operation, nor is it intended to be. Coral Oaks is a recreational amenity provided by the city to enhance the quality of life.
Barron said the council has four options to consider.
* Continue operating the golf course “as is” with no changes in operational structure. To ensure success, the city would need to make significant capital investments.
* Continue operating in-house and outsource maintenance. General Fund support may be reduced, but the city would still need to make significant capital investments and it will require an “RFP/P3” request for proposals/public private partnership.
* Pursue management agreement with third party for either the entire facility or just the restaurant and pro shop. The cost is unknown, but General Fund support may be reduced and an RFP/P3 will be required.
* Pursue a lease agreement with third party. The cost is unknown but General Fund support may be reduced and it will require an RFP/P3.
As this is a workshop meeting, the council will not hold a formal vote, but can discuss the issue and reach a consensus.
Workshops begin at 3 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall at 1015 Cultural Park Blvd.
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com