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

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Alton Baker Park could be compatible with other park activities and the area1s natural resources and would make a positive recreational and . economic contribution to the community. Mike Farthing, 975 Oak, represented the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. He said the Chamber of Commerce supports the construction of a golf course in Alton Baker Park if public funds are not spent and if present activities are not disrupted. He said he, personally, also supports the golf course. He said a coalition of diverse people support the golf course which wi 11 benefit the Eugene downtown, Lane County, and Springfield. Gary DuTell, 3570 Spring Boulevard, manages the Laurelwood Golf Course for the City. He said laurelwood is like Cinderella before she received the glass slipper. He said additional golf facilities would be good for Eugene I s economi c deve 1 opment. He said he proposed the expansion of Laurelwood Golf Course to 18 holes in 1981 and the proposal has still not been approved although it would be good for Eugene1s economic development. He said a golf course must have 18 holes to be economically profitable. Mr. DuTell said he supports a golf course in Alton Baker Park. He said there are 12,000 golfers in Eugene who must go out of town to play on a public 18-hole course. He said 300 people can play on an 18-hole golf course daily. He said about 90 percent of the golfers have handicaps of 10 or more and they just want to have a good time on a golf course. They do not want a long, championship golf course. . Mr. DuTell said Laurelwood Golf Course was losing $70,000 a year when he took it over in 1979. Now, Laurelwood Golf Course pays the City $10,000 to $12,000 a year which has resulted in savings to the City of over $400,000 in six years. He said it is the only City park that makes a profit or pays for itself. He does not understand why the City is afraid of having to take over a golf course in Alton Baker Park. He said the City needs a public 18-hole golf course. Referring to the $100,000 in the Urban Services Financing Agreement for the maintenance of Alton Baker Park, he said additional public funds may be needed for Alton Baker Park if a golf course is not approved. He said a golf course in Alton Baker Park it would be an excellent "welcome sign" for Eugene and Springfield. There being no further requests to testify, Mr. Hansen closed the public hearing. Ms. Schue emphasized that the council is considering the Alton Baker Park Master Plan and a golf course is not included in the plan. She said the Urban Services Agreement i ndi cates that the Ci ty wi 11 take over the maintenance of part of Alton Baker Park. She stressed that the City is not taking over the ownership of the park. She said the Alton Baker Park Master Plan indicates that the City is willing to have a golf course in the opportunity area in the park but the Eugene Parks Department will not participate in it. She encouraged the people supporting a golf course in the park to communicate with the Lane County Commissioners. She recommended approval of the master plan. . MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 11, 1986 Page 6