In a move that’s par for the course, the city’s decision on golf courses has been put on hold yet again.
At Tuesday’s city council meeting, Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop said that when the parks department’s 2021 general fund budget is presented to city council on Oct. 6, it will include funding for Greenbelt and Par 3, which would allow both courses to remain open for at least another year. He added that the funding could still be voted down.
The parks general fund budget does not include Otter Creek. Lienhoop has said in the past that the course’s funding comes from the Economic Development Income Tax fund.
Lienhoop’s announcement Tuesday came on the heels of a recent decision by the Columbus Parks Board. The parks board approved a 2021 general fund budget without any funding for golf, with the intention to close Greenbelt and turn over management of Par 3 to Otter Creek’s management team.
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The board included an addendum in their decision, saying that they would reconsider these actions if the Columbus City Council approves an additional $176,000 for the parks general fund budget. According to the official motion, city council had seven days to make a decision.
However, the final decision will not be made until next month.
“If the city council chose to approve a larger budget that accommodated golf, they could make those changes on Oct. 6 and the subsequent meeting on Oct. 20,” parks board attorney Michael P. DeArmitt said.
While city council did not discuss golf or make a funding decision during their most recent meeting, some members of the community spoke up in support of Greenbelt during the time for public comment.
Columbus resident Mary Sturgill said that the course should remain open and be promoted more, with incentives for customers such as free rounds for birthdays, a punch card system or certain discounts for memberships. She added that local businesses should be encouraged to hold employee tournaments at Greenbelt.
“These are things that need to be done to say, ‘Greenbelt is here. We want you to join us,’” Sturgill said. She also suggested that the city talk to players and golf leagues for ideas on how to help the course.
Two of the speakers also spoke to the need to get kids interested in playing golf, which would help increase the number of rounds played.
“If we get a good kids’ program going, this is something that will last a lifetime,” Carolyn Behrman said.
Resident Greg Harter said that while he’s also played golf at Otter Creek and Timbergate, Greenbelt is unique and irreplaceable.
“Greenbelt is a gem, G-E-M,” he said. “And we should never think about taking that golf course away. It’s a magnet for the city, it’s a wonderful attraction in the middle of the city. Don’t kid yourselves and think that anybody, if you close Greenbelt, is going to go clear out to Otter Creek and play. It’s not going to happen.”
Harter also said that there isn’t another way to use the property’s low land except as a golf course.
However, Mark Jones, {span}Columbus parks and recreation director, said at last week’s parks board meeting that if Greenbelt is closed, the space could be used by the parks department as a greenspace and a place for outdoor education and nature programs.
Parks board president Mark Levett also said planning director Jeff Bergman estimated that 20% of the property’s acreage could be developed.
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The first reading of the parks department’s 2020 general fund budget will take place at city council’s next meeting on Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. in the Cal Brand Meeting Room of Columbus City Hall.
The presented budget will include funding for both Par 3 and Greenbelt, though this could still be voted down. If the council decides to provide funding for golf, the parks board has to approve the change.
The parks’ general fund budget for 2021 will also be discussed at city council’s subsequent meeting on Oct. 20, as a second reading and vote are required to approve the budget.
The public can also tune into these meetings live through the city’s website. Livestreams of city meetings and archived videos of past meetings can be found at www.columbus.in.gov/video/live-streaming/.
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