HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 042-22 - Resolution - Evaluation of the Rochester Municipal Golf System
RESOLUTION
Accepting the Report from the National Golf Foundation and Approving Further
Evaluation of the Rochester Municipal Golf System.
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, City Council approved the proposal from the National Golf
Foundation (NGF) to provide technical services related to the assessment of the City’s
municipal golf program; and
WHEREAS, after delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the NGF began their evaluation of
the Rochester Municipal Golf System in August and September of 2021; and
WHEREAS, on January 10, 2022, the NGF presented their report (available as an
attachment in the City Council Agenda Packet dated February 7, 2022, under the Reports
and Recommendation item titled Rochester Golf Evaluation Next Steps) of the Rochester
Municipal Golf System at a joint Park Board and City Council meeting; and
WHEREAS, the NGF identifies the target threshold for successful public golf courses as
4,000 golfers per 18-holes and has estimated there are only 1,242 golfers per 18-holes in
the Rochester Metropolitan Statistical Area, well below the identified threshold; and
WHEREAS, the NGF report finds that Rochester has a strong demand for golf, a competitive
market, and an “over-supply of golf courses all competing around the same price-quality
threshold.” Additionally, the report notes that “golf activity did reach a new high during the
mini “golf boom” associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, the total income produced by this
system is not sufficient to cover all expenses that are required to properly operate and
maintain City golf courses,” and the future demand of golf is likely to fluctuate; and
WHEREAS, the National Golf Foundation recommends the following:
1. Increase capital funding for improvements for key projects along with other
improvements to broaden and enhance the golf experience.
2. Determine of the future of Soldiers Field Golf Course.
3. Implement technology improvements (point of sale, web, etc) and marketing.
4. Increase focus on new player development and beginner programs, especially with
young adults.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Common Council of the City of Rochester
that the City Council accepts the report from the National Golf Foundation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City will maintain the existing complement of courses
with the current level of maintenance, capital, and operating funding until a plan for
optimization is recommended by the Park Board and approved by Council. During this
phase other adjustments in services throughout the Golf Division may need to be initiated
to avoid budget deficits which may include, but are not limited to: closing all or a portion of
Eastwood Club House due to deterioration or code compliance concerns; fee/pass
modifications; or adjustments to playable areas due to drainage or other course condition
issues.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that consistent with any master plan implementation for
Soldiers Memorial Field Park, adjustments to portions of the Golf Course are likely needed
to accommodate the anticipated expansion for aquatics and the construction of the long
term planned trail along the west side of the Zumbro River extending south approximately
from Memorial Parkway to 12thStreet.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Parks and Recreation Director will oversee the
implementation of fee adjustments, program enhancements, and other low or no-cost
recommendations of the NGF report. Changes will be phased at the beginning of the 2022
season. The Parks and Recreation Director will also review items in the NGF report that can
be implemented.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Rochester that the
Park Board will consider the following general options to recommend to Council:
1. Maintain existing complement of courses and develop a strategy to fund the
recommended $722,500 per year to support the Capital Improvement Projects and
the appropriate level of annual operating support, as well as the cost of additional
operations needed (e.g. maintenance staffing, marketing, other service level
enhancements) to maintain the complement of courses and better preserve the value
of new investment in an improved system.
2. Optimize the Rochester Municipal Golf System by repositioning a course and a)
evaluate the opportunities and challenges associated with repositioning each, and b)
identify high-level future uses for each, and c) assess the long-term financial impact
associated with maintaining or repositioning each.
3. Maintain the existing complement of courses with the current level of funding and
identify service and user experience reductions needed over time.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the options listed in the previous clause will be informed
by a community engagement strategy that will be informed by a community engagement
strategy that will seek out user and community appetites for investment and optimization
through the use of a statistically significant survey and a multi-pronged approach to
informing residents of the current market conditions for golf.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA, THIS __________ DAY OF _______________, 2022.
___________________________________
PRESIDENT OF SAID COMMON COUNCIL
ATTEST: __________________________
CITY CLERK
APPROVED THIS _____ DAY OF ______________________, 2022.
___________________________________
MAYOR OF SAID CITY
(Seal of the City of
Rochester, Minnesota)