City of Sumner considers selling popular golf course
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SUMNER, Wash. - It's been in Pierce County for 17 years, but one golf course's future is very much in question. The city of Sumner isn't sure it can still afford to run the place.
The irony is that Sumner Meadows Golf Course is currently seeing record numbers in attendance.
"Last month, we had the most rounds in September we ever had. We had 6,037 golfers last month," says the golf course's general manager, David Kendall.
But it hasn't always been this way.
Kendall says business is bouncing back now - but that comes after two tough years dealing with the recession and some major floods.
During that period, the course just didn't bring in enough revenue, forcing the city, which owns it, to spend $1.5 million on subsidies taken from sewer utilities and general funding, which pays for things like parks, police and everyday services.
"But now, we're at the point that we don't have enough money to support that without raising taxes," says Sumner Mayor Dave Enslow.
As the city looks toward next year's budget, the future of Sumner Meadows is being discussed.
"We're now looking to make some decisions as to whether to keep this or not keep it," says Enslow.
The city could sell the course to someone else to run. Or they could sell the property for development. Or they could keep it, hoping it makes more money.
People have mixed feelings.
"I know the business is tough, but we don't have very many open spaces left around here. So, I hope they keep it," says Jesse Wilson of Auburn.
"I'd like to see it stay, and I hope it gets turned around and it can start to make money," agrees Jim Cappa of Lake Tapps.
But not everyone thinks the city should hang on to the course.
"If the city can't afford it, why do we have it?" says Sumner resident Greg Ross. "We cut corners and everything else in the city. We cut back on schools, and all that."
Eight years ago, the city faced the same dilemma, and they chose to keep the golf course after a public outcry.
The irony is that Sumner Meadows Golf Course is currently seeing record numbers in attendance.
"Last month, we had the most rounds in September we ever had. We had 6,037 golfers last month," says the golf course's general manager, David Kendall.
But it hasn't always been this way.
Kendall says business is bouncing back now - but that comes after two tough years dealing with the recession and some major floods.
During that period, the course just didn't bring in enough revenue, forcing the city, which owns it, to spend $1.5 million on subsidies taken from sewer utilities and general funding, which pays for things like parks, police and everyday services.
"But now, we're at the point that we don't have enough money to support that without raising taxes," says Sumner Mayor Dave Enslow.
As the city looks toward next year's budget, the future of Sumner Meadows is being discussed.
"We're now looking to make some decisions as to whether to keep this or not keep it," says Enslow.
The city could sell the course to someone else to run. Or they could sell the property for development. Or they could keep it, hoping it makes more money.
People have mixed feelings.
"I know the business is tough, but we don't have very many open spaces left around here. So, I hope they keep it," says Jesse Wilson of Auburn.
"I'd like to see it stay, and I hope it gets turned around and it can start to make money," agrees Jim Cappa of Lake Tapps.
But not everyone thinks the city should hang on to the course.
"If the city can't afford it, why do we have it?" says Sumner resident Greg Ross. "We cut corners and everything else in the city. We cut back on schools, and all that."
Eight years ago, the city faced the same dilemma, and they chose to keep the golf course after a public outcry.
RE: Sumner Golf Course. Â That's easy to solve, just ask Tacoma, where they put in a golf course for the super rich of the area. Just siphon the money from the sewer fund. Then, like Tacoma, the rates can be raised to pay for the shortfall that was created!
Too often people will preserve the silly and ignore the necessities. Keeping this playground for old men chasing a hard boiled egg around the cow pasture looking for gopher holes and taking monies from schools and police to keep it running is beyond stupid. If it can't pay its own way then sell it or contract it to someone else to run.
 @LongBeachBum How is a golf course taking money from schools ? Schools have their own elections for school board and funding. No city or county general tax revenue is used for schools.Â
Buy it and put low income housing on ite. Golf is a racist and elitist "sport".
Not in my neighborhood! How about they tear down what you live in and build that low-income housing? Up on the hill we already have our share of apartment complexes that brings crime to the neighborhood.
 @slappywagÂ
Think dealing with the crime, drugs and violence endemic to low income housing will be cheaper than a golf course? Â Why not attract good, self-sufficient people to the area? Â
How much did the city of Sumner pay for "art" or "art" programs? How much of there road $$ go for art projects ? Do away with that first.
Get rid of it! sell it golf courses are the biggest waste of land known to man! why have the tax payers foot the bill think of the cops or firemen selling it could help the city hire.
If they're seeing record attendance and the income is still not paying the expenses, they need to raise the fees. Let those who use the course pay the bills. The shouldn't need an MBA to figure that out.
 @Steve98028 NOW they're seeing record attendance, but were not in the hard years previous to this which created a deficit for the course.
@Steve98028 Unfortunatly if they raise the fees people will go elsewhere further hurting the income. The city just needs to sell it to someone else and do something good with the money, like put it into the schools and puplic works.Â
 @MomOf2  @Steve98028 Schools is a separate budget by a separate board,elected in an election  .Â