Keep the course

Once again the city’s golf courses are coming under fire.

Councillors, arguing against a tax-supported model, brought up the notion of selling one course – Municipal – to save the others.

Others have suggested that they all be sold, stating the city has no business competing with private enterprise.

Still others have said they don’t use the golf courses, so why should they support them through taxes to the tune of $234,700 in the 2010 budget, money asked for by the city’s director of golf to cover a mostly weather-related shortfall.

Arguing that because one doesn’t use a particular service that it shouldn’t be paid for by the city is ludicrous. How many people don’t use the city’s rinks? Thousands. Yet no one is suggesting Fort William Gardens be closed because of its $500,000 annual operating deficit. And there are non-city-owned rinks competing for skaters.

How much does it cost for upkeep at city parks? The pools? The list goes on.

The city courses, which also include Strathcona and Chapples, offer golfers a more affordable option than the country clubs, and an 18-hole experience that the smaller private courses cannot provide.

Selling the courses would almost certainly force the new owners to close the courses to get rid of the unions, who eat up the majority of the operating costs. Spending $250,000 a year to maintain these gems is money well spent.