 |
|||
 |
|
|
|
|
Mayor seeks input about golf course By BILL SHEEHAN
Recorder News Staff
Just a week after passage of a measure making the Mayor and Common Council bigger players in the operation of Amsterdam's municipal golf course, Mayor Ann Thane has offered the "broadest outline" of a strategic plan for the facility.
"We should now go into it in greater detail, grinding down on specifics of our course, physical and financial, assigning responsibilities and a timeline," wrote Thane in a note accompanying her e-mailed list of ideas.
The mayor asks the aldermen and members of the Golf Commission to review her submission and get back to her with ideas or suggestions.
Thane's proposed mission is "to provide a balance of quality recreational and competitive opportunities at the Golf course, while protecting assets, natural resources and the interests of the City of Amsterdam for the benefit of present and future generations".
Communications are one key to the tentative plan with plans for surveys, monthly written updates on course operations and an annual comprehensive report to keep city officials and the public abreast of the operation's physical and financial condition.
The five-point program proposed by the mayor begins with an assessment of the long-range needs of the facility by tracking current usage, identifying and prioritizing upgrade work and looking into the possible need for a new clubhouse along with the potential for utilizing the facility on a year-round basis.
Addressing the course's financial condition is another high priority within the mayor's plan with "a balanced budget and strategies to generate the revenue that will insure economic stability" a top goal.
Thane suggests that internal controls and random audits, regular reviews of the fee schedule, staffing levels, the golf pro and other vendors, as well as the exploration of grant opportunities to help defray expenses should also become regular practice in the development of a comprehensive financial plan.
The third point of the mayor's plan proposal is the need to attract outsiders to an "affordable and high-quality experience" with competitive rates, special events, and the development of partnerships with other community organizations to expose the course to a new list of potential customers.
Thane's plan includes making cleanliness a top-of-mind concern of course staffers, keeping tabs on the day-to-day condition of the course with surveys and possible use of a "mystery golfer" whose job would be to periodically review the Amsterdam golf experience.
A marketing strategy and plans to "attract and retain excellent employees" round out the Mayor's proposed strategic plan outline, which she emphasizes is "a launching point for us to start from".
Deputy Mayor and Fourth Ward Alderman William Wills has already responded to Thane's call for suggestions, including ideas to:
* Explore shortening the course to a par-3 to allow "residential opportunities to develop around the course, increasing our tax base and encouraging people with money to settle in our community".
* Incentives for current members to drum up new members by offering a $50 rebate for each new member acquired.
* An annual local amateur tournament.
* A community weekend to allow the general public to tour the facility and the potential recruitment of new members.
* Consider including a pool in any new clubhouse construction plans.
The fees for the 2008 golf season will be set in a resolution coming before the Common Council on Tuesday.
Second Ward Alderman and council golf liaison Dan Roth says that while memberships and cart storage fees are due for increases, greens fees will be modified to a flat $25 seven days a week, with a fee of $17 after 3 p.m.
|
|
|
