Civic notes from the Feb. 12 city council meeting.
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You don’t golf, so you don’t pay green fees, right? Think again.
City council was confronted with an unexpected $592,000 bill at their Feb. 12 meeting after a staff investigation into the Revelstoke Golf Club clubhouse and out-buildings found many engineering issues that will need remediation, some immediately.
The report notes the buildings at the golf course are owned by the city and that taxpayers are liable for any issues arising from the problems. The facilities are managed by the Revelstoke Golf Club. The problems include structural issues in the clubhouse and some outbuildings, as well as electrical and plumbing deficiencies.
City engineering director Mike Thomas said about $45,000 was needed right now to deal with life-safety issues.
Council resolved to ask the city’s economic development office to see if there was outside funding available for the renovations.
In discussion, council conceded the city was on the hook for the costs. “This is a $600,000 bill at the end of the day,” said mayor David Raven.
They discussed the need for a five-year business plan for the club.
The Times Review asked how the facility could be left for management by an independent club without adequate city oversight, yet taxpayers were responsible for liability and the bill.
Mayor Raven said issues became apparent last year and that the city had been working on the problems behind the scenes.
“There’s no question that the outcome we’re faced with here is finally the first time that we’ve actually got a good number and a good look at those buildings,” Raven said.
Coun. Tony Scarcella oversees the club as part of his council portfolio. He said the club had operated on a year-to-year basis and were now working with the city to come up with a five-year business plan.