Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette (Wis.)
Hobart, Wis. - Hobart residents will get a chance to discuss the future of the village-owned Thornberry Creek golf course in a special meeting Wednesday night.
The public forum, hosted by village's Golf Course Advisory Committee, will center on the various options for the golf course and will allow Hobart residents to ask questions and provide feedback on the controversial issue.
In late 2002, Hobart picked-up an option to buy Thornberry Creek for $7.3 million when its ownership dissolved and then leased the course back to former owner Jack Schweiner.
Schweiner's lease expires in March, and the village has reported that several undisclosed parties are interested in buying the golf course.
Selling the course would be one option, along with extending Schweiner's lease or hiring a third party to manage the course, said Golf Course Advisory Committee Chairman Jim Anderson.
Wednesday's meeting also will examine the possibility for residents to form an ownership association and buy the course, and the village hopes to measure the public's interest in taking that route.
Anderson said the meeting will also include a history of the golf course and its financial status.
On a related subject, the Village Board will consider tonight whether to refinance $5.8 million in water and sewer debt and $7.7 million borrowed last year to buy the golf course. The board last month tabled a decision on the matter.
Hobart Administrator Joe Helfenberger said it's not a question of whether to refinance but whether to tackle both areas of debt at the same time in order to cut refinancing costs.
HOBART -- Hobart residents will get a chance to discuss the future of the village-owned Thornberry Creek golf course in a special meeting Wednesday night.
The public forum, hosted by village's Golf Course Advisory Committee, will center on the various options for the golf course and will allow Hobart residents to ask questions and provide feedback on the controversial issue.
In late 2002, Hobart picked-up an option to buy Thornberry Creek for $7.3 million when its ownership dissolved and then leased the course back to former owner Jack Schweiner.
Schweiner's lease expires in March, and the village has reported that several undisclosed parties are interested in buying the golf course.
Selling the course would be one option, along with extending Schweiner's lease or hiring a third party to manage the course, said Golf Course Advisory Committee Chairman Jim Anderson.
Wednesday's meeting also will examine the possibility for residents to form an ownership association and buy the course, and the village hopes to measure the public's interest in taking that route.
Anderson said the meeting will also include a history of the golf course and its financial status.
On a related subject, the Village Board will consider tonight whether to refinance $5.8 million in water and sewer debt and $7.7 million borrowed last year to buy the golf course. The board last month tabled a decision on the matter.
Hobart Administrator Joe Helfenberger said it's not a question of whether to refinance but whether to tackle both areas of debt at the same time in order to cut refinancing costs.