Proposed Multi-Use Park
What you need to know before you decide…
The ballot question asks voters to approve or reject the addition of a new park at 20828 Golf Lane.
It does not tell voters that the property is the current location of the busy Maple Ridge Golf Course, which has operated for over 100 years and is used primarily by youth, women, seniors and people learning the game.
Although the city may legally use this wording, it leaves out the fact that by voting “yes” they would be closing an existing popular city-owned facility.
About the golf course…
The City owns the course and leases it to a specialize golf course operator who covers all of the costs of maintaining the 40-acres, operations, maintenance and security.
The operator manages everything on site and takes their profit on what players pay minus what the operator pays to the City each year.
The golf course costs the taxpayers nothing today
and delivers revenue to the city annually.
If the City takes this property over, just maintaining the site in phase one is estimated at $375,000
annually not including security costs.
Estimated security costs to patrol a 40 acre site inside the city averages around $90,000 annually for 24 hour monitoring.
Phase 1 would move the two Hammond baseball diamonds to the current Maple Ridge Golf site and add a washroom and 6 kms of trails with greenspace.
Phase 2 would require voters assent in either the 2030 or 2034 elections.
Maple Ridge already has approximately 210 kilometres of managed trails throughout the community.
The bottom line… Taxpayers are loosing reliable revenue and increasing taxes for 4% more walking paths and some green space.
I am voting No. There are better options for our community on this site that won't cost $400,000+ a year.
We can preserve affordable public golf while developing new programs for juniors, women, seniors, and first-time golfers… see below option.
Introducing…
Maple Ridge Golf and Recreation
Community Centre
Phase one is to transform Maple Ridge Golf Course into a community golf and recreation centre dedicated to making golf more affordable and accessible.
New training facility for new golfers
Reduced-cost youth and seniors green fees
Women’s and Seniors newcomer adaptive-golf programs
Affordable club rentals
Partnerships with local schools for lesson times.
Reduced green fees for Maple Ridge residents
Phase One timing:
Renew current course operators contract for one to two years.
Take volunteer nominations from the community to work with city staff on phase one plans.
Build cost analysis to present to Council. Funding would come from current Recreational funding sources.
Phase Two:
Expand storage and washroom space on the city site so local Soccer groups can use the adjacent Maple Ridge Elementary playing fields for summer camps and junior play.
Expand clubhouse facilities to 250 seats for community meetings, events, or for wedding rental.
Maple Ridge Golf Club
A property rooted in Maple Ridge History
Lou JOSE for Councillor
A NEW direction.