Source: Hartford Courant
Snow is on the ground and the golf season is still a few months away but Roger Moss, the town's park and recreation director, is excited about changes that have been made recently at the town golf course.
Most noticeable is a new pond that was built as part of a project to help with drainage and irrigation.
``It's gorgeous,'' Moss said of the pond, which is on the 13th hole. ``Once the plants around it fill in, it should be a real showcase.''
The East Hartford Golf Course could use a boost, as revenues last year were at their lowest level in at least five years.
``The golf course is at a crossroads,'' Michael Walsh, the town's finance director, said.
Use has dropped off the past two years in part because of ongoing drainage problems.
The latest work, which is costing more than $340,000, is expected to reduce the puddles and mud that follow every storm.
The new pond, which measures about 80-by-30 yards and is 15 to 20 feet deep, will serve as a drainage repository. It is connected by pipes to another pond that is the source of water for sprinklers on the course.
Much of the dirt excavated for the new pond was used to regrade other parts of the course.
``It's all interlocking work,'' Walsh said of the drainage and irrigation system.
Officials hope improved conditions will boost use of the town-owned course, which since 1993-94 has operated on a budget that is essentially independent from the general fund.
For the past six years, the course has been steering $2 per round into a capital improvement account.
Three years ago, the club spent more than $200,000 to renovate 12 sand traps and make other improvements.
The latest work began in late September, shortly after the 18-hole course was reduced to a nine-hole layout so that renovations to low-lying areas could be done during the fall.
Progress overall has been slow in part because of regulatory issues related to sections of the course that are in wetland areas.
If business doesn't pick up when play resumes in April, the town might have to reconsider options that Walsh outlined in a memo a year ago.
One suggestion he made was to spend $250,000 to construct a driving range, which would generate revenue year round.
Another possibility would be to privatize the entire golf course operation, including the restaurant and pro shop, to provide a steady rent stream.
A third approach would be to sell the course under the condition that it be maintained as a public course.
For the current fiscal year, the course is getting a $50,000 subsidy from the town to help with costs and another subsidy is likely for 2005-06.
Moss said the course is raising green fees slightly this year but has added a couple of fee offerings to mitigate the increase.
For example, golfers 60 and older who live in town can buy a season pass for $495 and enjoy unlimited play. Also, nonresidents can buy a ``frequent player card'' for $100 and pay resident rates through November.
Moss said rates in East Hartford are among the lowest in the area. He noted in particular that seniors from town can play nine holes for $6.50 weekdays before 2:30 p.m. and weekends after 2 p.m.
``Some people would probably pay double that just to get their spouse out of the house,'' he said.
