Affordability, customer service and better, well-maintained facilities were all priorities for participants in a recent Opt In survey about future operations at Metro's Glendoveer Golf Course.
In June, more than 700 Opt In panelists responded to a questionnaire about the future of the Glendoveer Golf Course and Fitness Trail, asking what improvements they want to see prioritized at the golf course, tennis center, fitness trail and in the facility's management contract. The survey results helped Metro develop a request for proposals for a new operations contract; the request was released on July 11.
In the new contract, set to take effect in January, the course's operator will function as a concessionaire instead of a long-term lessee, as has been past practice. That means Metro will play a more active role in maintaining the facility, instead of leaving repairs and maintenance to the operator. Metro will also maintain a separate contract with the Ringside Steakhouse.
After listening to public input, the Metro Council confirmed last year that the 242-acre site will continue to offer two golf courses, a driving range, pro shop, tennis center and fitness trail. About $330,000 is set aside in the regional government's upcoming budget for accessibility upgrades to bathrooms, construction of a new cart barn and design and engineering to address the leaking east water tower.
Potential operators will have until Aug. 15 to submit a proposal to manage the facility. A citizen panel will review the proposals and provide guidance on which proposals to move forward to the interview phase. The final decision to award an operations contract will be made by the Metro Council later this year. Glisan Street Recreation, which has managed the course for decades, will continue to operate the facility until the end of the year.
Note: An earlier version of this post had an incorrect date for the deadline for proposals to operate Glendoveer. The deadline is Aug. 15. This version has been corrected.