Everett hires consulting firm for advice on its golf courses

EVERETT – The city is hiring a consultant to give it advice on how to reverse financial losses at the two city-owned golf courses.

Walter E. Hall Memorial Golf Course and Legion Memorial Golf Course have ended seven of the last 11 years with deficits. This year’s combined loss could reach nearly half a million dollars, parks officials said.

Mayor Ray Stephanson said Wednesday that the problems are so severe that closing one of the courses is a “last resort” option.

PROS Consulting LLC of Indianapolis “will be putting together different scenarios for each golf course on how we can decrease costs and increase revenues,” city spokeswoman Kate Reardon said. The city will pay the company $30,000, she said.

PROS has done consulting for many parks departments across the country, including Mountlake Terrace, Seattle and Bellevue.

The Virginia-based management firm Billy Casper Golf has a contract to run the two courses until 2007. But it may be cheaper for the city to hire a local company, Stephanson said.

The city is planning a public forum on the golf course issue within the next few weeks, Reardon said.

Reporter David Olson: 425-339-3452 or dolson@ heraldnet.com.

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