City of Kent to consider selling Riverbend par 3 golf course

The city of Kent might sell the par 3, 9-hole golf course at its Riverbend Golf Complex but keep the 18-hole course.

“One option we’ve discussed is the potential sale of the par 3,” said Jeff Watling, city director of parks, recreation and community services, during a phone interview. “We would continue our three other revenue centers – the driving range, merchandise shop and 18-hole course.”

Riverbend’s operating losses and a $2.25 million debt has caused city officials to look at ways to get the complex self-sustainable financially. The facility lost $430,000 in 2011. The debt is owed to an inter-fund loan, money that the city borrowed from its water and fleet funds to help pay off the bond for the golf complex.

“It’s an option at this point,” Watling said about the potential sale. “There’s no final decision.”

Watling said the city will host public meetings at dates to be determined in either June or July to get feedback about the par 3 course sale proposal. The idea to sell the course came out of City Council retreats and committee meetings.

The rumor of a sale didn’t go over well with R.C. Sample, who regularly plays the course. He told the council at its May 21 meeting what he thinks of the plan.

“Once it’s sold, it’s gone forever,” Sample said during the open comment period. “I challenge each of you to preserve the facility.”

Sample said many senior citizens play the course.

“We’re too old and feeble to play the large course,” Sample said. “Others enjoy the course as well besides senior citizens. And there’s no other par 3 near Kent.”

Sample enjoys other perks of the course as well.

“No other city offers such a beautiful setting when you drive into town on Meeker Street,” he said. “You have the welcome to Kent sign, cross the Green River over the bridge and then see a beautiful golf course on the right and left side. That’s a view many of us hold dearly.”

The par 3 course sits on the south side of Meeker Street while the 18-hole course is on the north side of Meeker.

Council members Jamie Perry and Elizabeth Albertson each said after the public comments they want the city to keep the par 3 course.

“The par 3 course is an asset to seniors and youth,” said Perry, who added she played her first game of golf on the course. “I feel our par 3 is a huge asset to the community.”

Albertson said because herself and Perry are not running for re-election, residents need to find out what the candidates for their seats think about the idea in case no decision is made until next year. Their terms expire the end of this year.

There’s no timeline yet as far as when the city might make a decision about whether to sell the par 3 course.

“Any decision on getting the golf course into a healthier and more sustainable financial position is a complex one and is not something easily explained or a decision quickly made,” Watling said.

A sale price or potential uses of the property remain to be determined.

“We are asking the golfing community about the options to get their feedback and will have public meetings for feedback that will be helpful in making a decision,” Watling said.

Riverbend opened in 1989. The city took over operations of the course in 2000 from a private contractor. Watling said the golf complex also will need capital reinvestment because it’s more than 20 years old.

City-owned courses have struggled elsewhere as well as fewer people are playing golf. The Sumner City Council last fall approved putting its course up for sale. The city of Lynnwood might hire a contractor to run its course rather than operating it through the parks department.

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