EVERETT – The city may soon scrap its disputed contract with Virginia-based Billy Casper Golf Management Inc.
The city has a contract with the company through 2008, but the City Council is expected to consider opting out of the agreement when it meets today.
The golf company manages Walter E. Hall and Legion Memorial Park, the city’s two deficit-running municipal golf courses.
In October, Everett parks director Paul Kaftanski proposed revising the contract in an effort to turn around the financially ailing public golf operation, which loses money in spite of increased golf rounds played.
This morning, the City Council is scheduled to vote to allow the parks department to take the first step toward a new contract: asking companies to submit proposals to run the courses.
“It’s best to start anew,” said Kaftanski, who said he hopes to turn city golf into a profitable business enterprise by 2009.
The city subsidized golf by an estimated $500,000 last year.
Since April 2003, Billy Casper, a company founded by PGA legend Billy Casper, has had day-to-day operational control of the courses.
The company was paid $1.37 million to operate the courses in 2006. Additionally, the city spent about $940,000 in labor for four groundskeepers and 10 temporary laborers to maintain the courses.
Rich Katz, a senior vice president for Billy Casper Golf, said the company intends to submit a proposal for the new contract.
Reporter David Chircop: 425-339-3429 or dchircop@heraldnet.com.
Council meeting
The Everett City Council is scheduled to take up the golf contract at 8:30 a.m. today at the City Council Chambers, 3002 Wetmore Ave. in downtown Everett.
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