08/11/1986 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Jerry Rust is a Lane County Commissioner. He distributed two aerial photographs of Alton Baker Park to the councilors. He said a golf course . should be constructed in the park because the course wi 11 generate revenue, it wi 11 increase economic development, it wi 11 serve the 14 percent of the Eugene population who say golf is their preferred outdoor leisure activity, and it will beautify the entrances to Eugene and Springfield. He said the taxpayers will not have to pay for the go 1 f course. Mr. Rust said the City of Portland operates five golf courses and the annual revenue from each course is $40,000 to $70,000. Dri vi ng ranges provide additional revenue. He said some Japanese business people stated that they located their firm in Portland because of the many golf courses there. He said many senior citizens go to a city to play all the golf courses and golf courses are helpful in attracting conventions. He said the community should make the east end of Alton Baker Park more attractive for Spri ngfi e 1 d. Mr. Rust said at least 150 acres are available for a golf course in Alton Baker Park and probably another 20 acres could be acquired for it. That is enough for a regulation S,OOO-yard golf course. He said all the Portland courses are just over 5,000 yards and the public seems to like S,OOO-yard courses. He stressed that the design of a golf course in Alton Baker Park must retain the jogging paths, Pre's Trai 1, the bike path, and the canoe canal. Mr. Rust submitted copies to the council of a July 7, 1986, letter to him . from John Zoller, Director of Golf for Portland, and a July 25, 1986, letter to the Lane County Board of Commissioners from Jean Elliott, of Moore Golf, Inc. William Bruce Chase, 3 Chevy Chase Lane, said some championship golf courses are only 6,200 or 6,400 yards. He emphasized that there is adequate room in Alton Baker Park for a golf course and it would be a magnificent entry to Eugene. Dean Bliss, S62 East 39th Place, is the General Manager of the Eugene Hilton Hotel. He said meetings and conventions are the best opportunity local lodging facilities have for increasing short-term occupancy. He said the lodging facilities, the Hu1t Center, and the Eugene Conference Center are excellent for moderate-sized conventions but competing cities also have excellent facilities. He said a first-rate golf course near the downtown would increase Eugene's attractiveness for conventions. He said people stay in towns longer and spend more money when a golf tournament is part of a convention. Wendell E. Wood, 2455 Lariat Meadows, said he did not need to testify. Wendell Wood, 1161 Lincoln, represented the Oregon Natural Resources Council. He said the council advocates the maintenance and enhancement of Oregon's natural environment while providing for economic growth and a wide variety of recreational opportunities. He said a golf course in . MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 11, 1986 Page 5