EVERETT — Teeing off at Everett’s public courses will soon cost more and one course may eventually see major changes.
The city plans to raise the fees March 1 at the city’s two golf courses amid a decrease in activity.
In January, the City Council and parks department discussed whether Everett should downsize the Walter E. Hall course, renovate it,
or get rid of the links altogether.
“The supply of golf courses is certainly higher than the demand,” said Lori Cummings, parks and community service director, at a Jan. 12 City Council retreat. “There was a time when everyone thought you couldn’t build enough golf courses to meet the demand. That was in the late ’90s and early 2000s. By the mid-2000s, we knew that was not the case.”
The price increases range from 50 cents to a $1.50 increase at both courses for adults on weekends during the season. In 2018, fees increased by $1 per round.
“Rate increases are market driven and are just one of the strategies we use to generate additional revenue to support municipal golf in Everett,” said Kari Goepfert, a city spokeswoman.
Cummings said the lack of demand stems from fewer golfers in the region and weather.
There’s also a $6.3 million debt the city golf system is digging itself out of from work done at Legion Memorial Golf Course in the ’90s.
A survey of nearby cities with similar populations of 80,000 to 120,000 showed Everett was the only one with two golf courses. Some didn’t have any.
At Walter Hall, the decline in rounds purchased is greater than at Legion in the northern end of the city, Cummings said.
Last year, there were about 60,000 rounds played at Legion and 50,000 at Walter Hall.
Cummings said municipal golf courses statewide are facing the same problem — in some cases, worse than Everett.
The city has a few options going forward. It could sell Walter Hall’s nearly 90 acres for development, downsize the course and sell some land, or repurpose it for other recreational activities.
If the city sells some or all of the land, the profits could go toward paying off debt at Legion, buying land in south Everett for other recreation or, as Councilman Scott Murphy suggested Jan. 12,
improving Legion.
The city’s golf system is self-funded from greens fees, golf cart rentals, concessions and the pro shop. Legion’s debt was assumed by the city’s general fund, meaning the golf system is paying back the city plus interest. Interest rates are rising, Cummings said.
A city south of Everett sold its par 3 course to developers and used profits to pay off some of its debt, Cummings said. Other cities have reinvested in their courses, hoping for an increase in profits.
Going forward, the Council said it will focus on other outdoor activities south Everett residents might want.
Council President Paul Roberts said the area surrounding Walter Hall “needs a little love.”
“There are a lot of needs in south Everett, and I don’t know if it behooves the community to have one central location for all the recreational needs,” Councilwoman Brenda Stonecipher said at the council retreat.
The Feb. 12 parks board meeting was snowed out. The board next meets Tuesday, March 12 at 6 p.m. at Spruce Hall in Forest Park, 802 W. Mukilteo Blvd.
Selected greens fee rates beginning on March 1:
Legion Park
Weekend peak season adult rate: $39 (was $37.50)
Weekend peak season
senior/military rate: $39 (was $37.50)
Weekday peak season adult rate: $34 (was $33)
Weekday peak season
senior/military rate: $27 (was $26)
Weekend non-peak season adult rate: $34 (was $33)
Weekday non-peak season adult rate: $31 (was $30.25)
Walter E. Hall
Weekend peak season adult rate: $37 (was $35.50)
Weekend peak season
senior/military rate: $37 (was $35.50)
Weekday peak season adult rate: $32 (was $31)
Weekday peak season
senior/military rate: $25 (was $24)
Weekend non-peak season adult rate: $31 (was $30.25)
Weekday non-peak season adult rate: $28.50 (was $27.75)
Rates are less across-the-board for juniors, twilight and “early-bird”golfing. Prices do not include tax.
Data source: City of Everett
