The city of Mountlake Terrace is looking for the right match at the city-owned Ballinger Golf Course.
Like spring suitors, about half a dozen Northwest golf course operators have come calling about the 45-acre, nine-hole beauty, which has been closed since January.
The city and Redmond National Bank, which has financial ties to the course, started formal talks this week about what they want from the next golf course operator.
The city council must approve the arrangement before the match-making begins in earnest, which could happen as early as mid-July, according to Scott Hugill, the city’s administrative services director. The city is making an effort to reopen the golf course before the winter rains.
The golf course, located at 23000 Lakeview Drive, closed at the end of 2004 after the operator, Ballinger Recreation, Inc., suffered financial hardship and fell behind on lease payments to the city. Ballinger Recreation also owed the bank about $1.3 million for a 1999 renovation, which is still outstanding.
The golf course, which has been owned by the city since the 1960s, has been managed by the city and various vendors. Ballinger Recreation stepped in as golf course operator in the 1980s.
Ballinger Recreation sued the city in the mid-1990s, alleging the city did not make substantial improvements to the golf course as stated in contracts. In a 1997 lease agreement, Ballinger Recreation and the city agreed to a $1.65 million reconstruction primarily of the course layout and drainage. The city contributed about $550,000.
Redmond National Bank is involved because the city agreed to let Ballinger Recreation use the property as collateral for course renovation costs. The bank has since taken over the lease and is maintaining the grounds.
The city invested about $1 million in the clubhouse in 1989, which was financed with councilmanic bonds.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
