A group of Pine Valley Golf Centre patrons will present a case to city council tonight to keep the facility in its current location.
A proposed neighbourhood plan calls for converting the neighbouring Prince George Golf Club into a 18-hole, par-three course with pockets of townhouses and condominiums once the PGGC moves to its new location and converting Pine Valley to other uses.
But that's a bad idea, Friends of Pine Valley members Don Chamberlain and Dave Hodges will tell council, in part because the new location may be too challenging.
"An entry level golf facility requires a flat, easily playable course support by instruction and practice areas," they say in a PowerPoint presentation in the agenda for tonight's meeting.
The current course is affordable and accessible and provides entry level play for beginners, "so they can 'graduate' to more challenging courses provided by the private sector."
It's also economically viable, Chamberlain and Hodges say, noting it does not require tax dollars to operate.
Under a five-year agreement with the city that began with the start of the 2008 season, GNR Property Management Ltd., which also operates Yellowhead Grove, is responsible for operating and maintaining the facility and pays the city a fee based on revenue. The city, meanwhile, pays for improvements to the course.
"The current golf course requires minimal funding for improvements to maintain and attract users compared to relocation to another site (such as PGGC)," Chamberlain and Hodges continue.
They say upgrading the sprinkler systems would be required at either site, netting for a driving range is partially in place at Pine Valley, the current club house is sufficient, land for future reconfiguration has been reclaimed for the school district and additional trees could be provided through donations by players and service clubs.
"A long-term commitment to retain the Pine Valley golf course in its present location, providing a central green space for golfers of all ages and abilities makes economic sense," Chamberlain and Hodges say, adding more players will make use of the facility if council makes the commitment.
As presented in May 2008, the neighbourhood plan called for converting the 13.4-hectare (33-acre) site into varying mixtures of townhouses and condominiums, highway commercial and commercial.
But the plan was put on hold as the recession put into question the need for an auto mall near the corner of Highway 16 and Highway 97.
It's expected a new plan will be ready for public consultation sometime later this year.
