Staunton Councilwoman Andrea Oakes wants to hear from you.
Oakes is holding a town hall meeting Tuesday, August 20, to listen to residents’ ideas, concerns, and question concerning Gypsy Hill Golf Course, the city’s 18-hole, par 71 municipal public greens that may be in danger of losing the city’s financial backing.
Memberships have decreased in recent years, requiring more financial infusions from city council to keep the course up to speed despite providing one of the most affordable rates in the Valley. It is open to members and nonmembers, provides a fully-stocked golf shop, cart rentals, lessons, golf pavilion, and full tournament schedule.
The question on deck is whether the course should remain open, or close.
City Parks and Recreation staff provided information, as reported in the Staunton News Leader [1]:
Council members last week heard more [2] about the current financial situation of the Gypsy Hill course from the city’s Parks and Recreation Director Chris Tuttle and Chief Finance Officer Phil Trayer. Council is planning to hold a public hearing in the future to solicit more feedback before making any decision.
Trayer explained that savings would be minimal if the course closed because while operations costs would be eliminated, maintenance would still be required and the irrigation system still has to be paid off.
…
Tuttle explained the course is currently not marketed much. One possibility discussed if the course remains open would be having the tourism department market it more. Tuttle also said Gypsy Hill could gain more members if the Ingleside course shuts dow.The Gypsy Hill golf course doesn’t make the city money, but it’s not an outlier. Parks and recreation facilities aren’t typically moneymakers.
More info can be found in this News Leader article [2].
If you’re going:
What: Town Hall hosted by Andrea Oakes
Date: Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Time: 6-8:00 p.m.
Place: City Hall, Council Chambers, 1st Floor
Staunton City Hall is located at 116 W. Beverley Street. Parking is available on-street as well as the parking deck behind City Hall that is accessed from Johnson Street.