Golfers concerned over level of service at Camrose Golf Course

The stage is set

The City of Camrose Planning and Development Department is updating the City of Camrose Land Use Bylaw #2929-17. The Land Use Bylaw guides all development applications and permit processes, and regulates the use of land within our community. Land use regulation ensures economic, orderly, sustainable, and attractive development of land within Camrose. One of the goals for this review was to make the document more userfriendly and functional for daily use. Some topics of specific review were: 1. Urban Hens; 2. Demolition Development Permits; 3. Detached Secondary Suites; 4. Live-Works Units; and 5. Allowable uses at the airport. Any person(s) who have an interest are encouraged to attend the open house in person to learn more about the Land Use Bylaw Update. Should you be unable to attend the Open House, but would like further information or to comment on the implementation of the Land Use Bylaw Update, please contact Aaron Leckie – City of Camrose Manager of Planning and Development or visit our website www.ourcamrose.ca/land-use-bylaw-update for more information on the draft regulations. City of Camrose - Planning and Development Phone: 780-672-4428 | email: aleckie@camrose.ca

The City of Camrose is offering a range of grants and funding to various community organizations. There is $18,000 to be awarded, so make sure you get your applications in by June 16, 2022! More information at www.camrose.ca/grants

Please contact Wayne Steel at 780-678-5226 for any questions of concerns

Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster

During the May 16 City of Camrose Committee of the Whole meeting, several residents attended to hear council’s response to a letter sent to the Mayor and council by Patrick Bohnet outlining his concern over the levels of service at the Camrose Golf Course.

Bohnet’s letter included in detail: his background; concerns about the current operations and reputation of the Camrose Golf Course; current ideas/input to be addressed by City council for the 2022 golf season; information and concerns about the Junior Program; membership pricing and marketing of the golf course and a suggestion of moving the curling rink to the golf course.

In speaking on the intent behind his letter Bohnet said, “I see the current model has moved from a service model to a cost reduction model. Bohnet clarified that most of the items brought forward in his letter was based on personal experiences as well as feedback from other members. “My fear in knowing that City council there potentially was a decision or discussion around selling part of the golf Course.

“Seeing the service and the product this year and last year has significantly declined to the point that I am worried that discussion may come forward again.”

Mayor PJ Stasko indicated that during his time on City Council, there was no discussion on the sale of the golf course, which was verified by Councillor Agnes Hoveland, who said, “There has certainly been a rumour floating around but it has never come to council, never been an official proposal. We have never entertained the thought.”

Councillor Lana Broker inquired about the junior golf program. “One of the things you brought up in your letter, Pat, was the Junior Program. We basically have no Junior Program anymore unfortunately. Please correct me if I am wrong, it is because we don’t have anybody to teach it, you have to be a pro to give lessons?”

Bohnet replied, “Yes and no. Someone who is a certified teaching instructor needs to be the parameters around it to receive revenue. So just anybody off the street couldn’t do lessons without some kind of certification.”

Broker further inquired, “Do you think a golf pro would be more profitable in the aspect of what they would bring to the golf course in the different opportunities they would bring? Would that person be more apt to fight for championships and the different golf tournaments?”

Bohnet explained that CPGA professionals have the background and education to do marketing, understand product inventory, needs of golf community when it comes to promoting, marketing and having tournaments, and generating revenue. “Definitely, if we are going to get back to that service and revenue model, I would highly suggest that would be a good plan moving forward.”

Broker asked City of Camrose Community Services general manager Ryan Poole if going with a pro would be an option the City would consider.

Poole said that administration is always open to any discussion and direction from council.

Bohnet added that, in his opinion, the food service part of the golf course could also be a potential revenue generator, specifically referring to the banquet services as a source of revenue during tournaments.

City of Camrose manager Malcolm Boyd explained that as the City approaches budget deliberation season, there will be a variety of business cases and recommendations brought forward to council. “The Golf Course always figures quite highly in the terms of the amount of discussion that goes on there because of the level of subsidy that is required. Certainly, in recent years, we have been in cost control mode and whether that pendulum has swung too far on the service level reduction is a question for council.”

Councillor DJ Ilg asked for more insight on what caused the demise of the Junior Program and what is needed to initiate the program. “I see a Junior Program as crucial to the success of a golf course. Bringing up the youth of the community, educating them in their sport of choice and having an element for them to go to like any other minor sport.”

Bohnet said, referring to when he was a staff member in the pro shop. “I coordinated and ran the program. It was always assigned to an assistant or staff member of the golf course and ever since we lost that certification level of having a golf pro and having that responsibility, when I left the golf course, that ended.”

In answer to inquiries about the Junior Program, Poole commented, “The year before, we had nothing because of COVID. A lot of programs were shut down, but last year and a couple years before, the City actually had Bill Penny (golf pro) on contract. He ran a July and August full Junior Program all summer and the last we heard, he is supposed to be running a program again this year.”

The report was accepted for information.