Golfers at the Paddle River Golf and Country Club have been assured they will be able to play the sport for the foreseeable future, thanks to a decision by Town of Barrhead councillors.
On March 13, councillors unanimously agreed to enter a four-year lease agreement for the nominal fee of $1 annually.
Chief administrative officer Martin Taylor said the agreement the town had with the golf course expired early in the new year.
“It expired because our agreement with the province also expired,” he said, referring to the recreation lease the town holds on the property that states the 33.84-acre property, located just north of the Paddle River, can only be used for a golf course.
However, Taylor noted that just before the meeting he received word from Alberta Public Lands that the province will apply on the town’s behalf for a special disposition lease. The terms of the agreement will come into effect once the town receives its lease.
“Why it is so urgent for the golf club to get this agreement is without it, it is really hard for them to apply for any type of funding whether it be government or private grants,” he said.
Taylor added, due to time constraints, basically the agreement is the same as the previous one with very minor revisions, but sometime in the not so distant future council should consider going over it in detail.
“It’s an old agreement that really needs to be overhauled,” he said, using the example of section 1C that states that council, at its discretion, can appoint a member to attend the golf club’s regular board meetings. “It’s been decades since someone from council has attended their meetings.”
Coun. Ty Assaf believed council should have a representative attend its board meetings.
“Not that I have any concerns, but I would still like to see someone from council there,” he said, adding he would be interested in doing so.
Assaf questioned the lease payment of $1, noting if that would have any impact on the length of the agreement.
“If we sign today, does that mean the rent is due in 2018 or 2019? If the rent is due in 2019 would it not mean the agreement would be good until 2023?” he asked.
Coun. Rod Klumph suggested that if the agreement was due for an update that it might be better to sign a one-year deal.
Taylor said the four-year agreement was the golf club’s suggestion, saying the longer term would help them in terms of obtaining financing.
“We do have the option to terminate the agreement early if we ever felt it was necessary,” said Coun. Leslie Penny. Under section 3C, the town or the golf club may terminate the agreement with one year written notice to the other party.
