The City of Calgary is expected to remove its only northeast golf course from the chopping block after plans to redevelop the land proved less lucrative than expected.
“It wasn’t worthwhile closing the golf course and selling off the land, putting commercial at the south end of the course,” explains Ward 5 Councillor Ray Jones. “It just didn’t realize the funds that they thought it was going to.”
McCall Lake, which includes an 18 hole course, a 9 hole par 3, and a driving range, requires nearly $7 million in repairs but, for many Calgarians, the cost is a small price to pay to ensure the northeast continues to have a municipal course.
“The city needs to have these for the families to get out,” said golfer Jason Hetchler. “It’s affordable, that’s the main thing. Private courses are expensive and long and there’s no place for kids there.”
Repairs to the McCall Lake Golf Course will be funded by the city’s Sports Renewal Program, a little known fund created by former mayor Dave Bronconnier, which allotted $10 million for each quadrant of the city. The northeast coffer has more than $6 million remaining.
“I found out that there was $6 million, ballpark, in the sport renewal fund for the northeast,” said Councillor Jones. “I feel that if (McCall Lake Golf Course) doesn’t fall under sport renewal, than nothing does!”
A decision on the future of the golf course will have to pass a committee this week before council votes on extending the life of McCall Lake.
