Calgary city council is considering whether to put the city’s golf courses under the microscope.
A motion has been put forward to review the impact Calgary’s policies and taxation have had on the city’s golf courses.
A number of private golf courses have been shut down in recent years, with redevelopment plans then going to city council.
It’s become a sensitive issue for residents who live adjacent to the closed courses. Homeowners have brought their grievances to city hall, telling councillors they bought their homes because of the green space the golf course provided.
“Communities are rightfully concerned when they lose their green space to housing developments,” Councillor Richard Pootmans said. “It’s a sight they’ve come to treasure and losing that creates huge turmoil in communities.”
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Pootmans said the councillors will have to decide whether a review will receive a green light from the city.
City administration said Wednesday the review could cost between $75,000 and $150,000 with an external consultant being hired.
Councillor Evan Woolley said he doesn’t believe the work is necessary.
“Couldn’t we just buy a report off the shelf on the future state of golf courses across North America? This is not a problem unique to us, there’s been a ton of research done on golf courses.”
Administrators told members of the Community and Protective Services Committee that Calgary is a very unique market and most of the information available is on a national and regional level.
The issue goes to city council on July 24.
If the review is approved, council would have until the November budget adjustments to approve any funding for the study.