GREEN FEES
Council debates public golf courses after report says they lose the city tens of thousands of dollars every year,
Golf isn’t just for “middle-aged white guys,” and all residents should have the opportunity to play, say some councillors who aren’t ready to close city-owned courses that are losing money.
Councillor Janet Davis led the charge at a committee meeting Thursday, in response to a parks and recreation report that recommends the city review the operation and maintenance of its seven courses.
“While I know golf is considered a middle-aged white guy’s sport, I think it is a sport that should be available to everyone and we should be encouraging it,” Davis said, adding that golf courses, all located in river valleys, are good use of the city’s green space.
But an ecologist with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) said restoring the golf course land to naturalized green space with trails would be better for the envi- ronment, help prevent flooding, improve the city’s tree canopy and give residents recreation space.
“There are inherent issues with having these kinds of uses (golf courses) in areas of natural heritage,” said Dena Lewis, a TRCA senior manager for planning ecology. The golf courses are on land owned all or in part by the TRCA, and are protected under the city’s official plan as open space.
The city adds nutrients and pesticides to maintain the greens and historically poured concrete along river beds to prevent encroachment and flooding, said Lewis. While golf courses are better than pavement at absorbing water, they’re not as effective as natural vegetation.
“Any movement to improve connectivity and quality of the natural heritage system, from an ecological perspective, would be positive,” Lewis said.
Every year, the city’s golf courses lose tens of thousands of dollars, said the report. The city expects to face a repair backlog of nearly $850 million over the next 20 years.
Their popularity is declining. The number of rounds of golf played de- clined by 15 per cent from 2007 to 2016, a trend the report said is expected to continue.
City staff would hire a consultant to conduct a review, if a motion to do so is approved by council later this month. The review could take upwards of two years. Its purpose would be to look at ways to improve operations in efficiency and for the experience of golfers, said Richard Ubbens, parks director.
The city maintains and operates five of its golf courses and hires thirdparty operators to provide food, lessons and rentals, among other services.
The city leases out two of its golf courses, both in Etobicoke. The review would look at which model works best, Ubbens said.
For the city to ensure the price of playing golf at the courses remains affordable, it needs to operate them and keep fees under $100 a visit, Davis said.
“We do a good job of maintaining our golf courses,” Davis said.
“I don’t care if these are fancy places,” Davis said, adding that she just wants to “make sure we have accessible golf in Toronto.”