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No opposition to $1.5M golf club plan

By Paul Leighton
Staff writer
Published: October 8, 2008

BEVERLY — The proposal to spend $1.5 million on improvements to the city-owned Beverly Golf and Tennis Club met with no opposition during a City Council public hearing Monday night.

John Dunn, the city's finance director, said the money will be used for long-awaited repairs to the historic clubhouse, improvements to the golf course, and construction of a new maintenance building.

Dunn said the city will borrow the $1.5 million and pay it off at a rate of about $150,000 per year. He said the money will come from the $600,000 annual payment to the city by Bass River Golf Management Co. for the right to manage the club, and not from the city's general budget.

"It's an incredible asset to the city, and at some point we have to reinvest in that asset," Dunn said.

Jeffrey Klein, chairman of the Golf and Tennis Commission, urged councilors to approve the plan. He said membership at the club, which had declined from 300 to 125, has gone up to more than 200 since Bass River Management took over in March.

"They've restored a tone of goodwill and positive attitude," Klein said. "Our greatest concern is if we do not make the necessary improvements, the good and great feeling among the golfing public in our city will quickly go away."

Ward 3 City Councilor John Burke and Pleasant Street resident Rosemary Maglio both asked why the city has not been investing in repairs all along, rather than letting the clubhouse and course deteriorate.

Dunn said the city has been spending $150,000 to $180,000 per year on the club, but has been waiting for a master plan for the club to be completed before committing to larger repairs. He also said the city has a "very positive relationship" with the new management company.

Dunn said there's a stipulation in the contract with Bass River Management that the city will get even more money if the membership reaches 300.

Ward 2 City Councilor Wes Slate asked Dunn to address the question of whether the city could sell the 168-acre property to a developer. Dunn said that would by "very, very, very difficult" because, when the city used state grant money to buy the property in 1978, the state imposed restrictions that require the land to be used for recreational purposes.

The City Council referred the matter to its Finance and Property Committee.

Planned repairs

Improve greens, fairways, bunkers and tee boxes

Build new maintenance facility

Fix roof, repair stucco siding, replace windows and paint clubhouse