City Council Agenda and Packet 2014 10 14 SP

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Presented 10/7/14 While we project a spring 2015 grand re- opening at Coal Creek, much will depend on how the golf course comes out of the 2014 -15 Winter and the Spring weather next year. Staff is currently reviewing proposals for golf course food and beverage concessions and anticipates recommending a successful, qualified vendor to City Council in November. If the successful food and beverage contractor can start in the first quarter of 2015 it would help the City with a soft opening of Coal Creek clubhouse, including both the restaurant and pro -shop in early spring of 2015. If the grow -in progresses according to schedule, we will initiate pro -shop staffing and order pro -shop inventory and electric golf carts (leased and /or purchased) for Spring delivery. In September the City hired a full -time Golf Course Superintendent to be on -site helping transform golf course operations and working alongside the reconstruction and grow -in contractor, Landscapes Unlimited. This will help ensure a smooth transition as Coal Creek moves from the construction phase through grow -in and then the City assuming 100% responsibility for maintenance and operations. Once we have a firm reopening date, and based on a thorough review of other golf course staffing patterns, we intend to hire the following golf course maintenance staff (in time to ensure they are fully "up to speed" prior to reopening day): • Assistant Golf Course Superintendent • Small Engines Mechanic (with the cost allocated 70% to Golf, 25% Parks and 5% Open Space) • Full -time Golf Course Maintenance Worker • Up to 8 Seasonal Maintenance Workers (phased -in as conditions warrant) to maintain the 160 acre golf course. In addition, to golf course maintenance staff, the City will also hire: • Head Golf Professional • 1st and 2nd Assistant Golf Professional • Up to 6 seasonal Pro -Shop staff (to conduct clubhouse sales including merchandising and inventory, tee -times cart rentals, lessons, leagues, tournaments, coordination, and revenue collection) • Part -time (32 -hour per week) Marketing and Promotions Coordinator (with costs allocated 50% Golf, 40% Recreation and 10% Open Space) to help market the golf course as well as recreation and open space programs and activities, some of which will be non -golf uses at Coal Creek Golf Course. According to the National Golf Foundation, 13 new golf courses opened in 2013 and 153 closed, for a net loss of 141 golf courses in United States. That marks the 7th consecutive year that more golf courses have closed than have opened. Effective marketing and promotions is one key to Coal Creek's success, since it will have been closed for almost 21 months and will need to bring previous players back home as well reestablish its previous reputation as one of the best places to play golf on the Front Range. To help in that effort, Coal Creek will open will a new "Punch Bowl" or "Himalayan Green ". This new attraction will be a first for the region and is aimed at drawing families and youth to the golf course to try their hand at navigating an 18 -hole up and down putting surface (and then enjoying food and beverages, signing up for a lesson and /or playing a few holes on Coal Creek Golf Course). 4