Operator’s lease ends Oct. 31
The Madera City Council has opted to begin a review of the contract, expenses and the operation of the Madera Municipal Golf Course, located just north of the city adjacent to Avenue 17.
The five-year lease with Sierra Golf Management for operation of the course, clubhouse and banquet facility is scheduled to expire Oct. 31, according to city officials.
Residents have brought their concerns before the council about the condition of the 179-acre facility and the debt service costs of the operation.
The current lease operator is obligated to contribute about $50,000 annually for maintenance, according to the lease, but larger costs such as well repairs, irrigation line replacement and repairing a leaking ponding basin that the course uses for irrigation are city expenses.
The council appointed an ad hoc committee consisting of Mayor Andy Medellin and council member Jose Rodriguez, both of whom are golfers, and rejected an offer from non golfing council member Derek Robinson to join the ad hoc committee, which will begin the initial review the course situation and financial performance of the city facility.
Rodriguez said all parts of the operation would be under review, and the council would review all options for the facility, including continuing to lease the operation as it exists, selling the land and operation to another operator, or selling all or part of the land for residential development.