The Woodward News

Local News

September 20, 2012

Commissioners approve funds for Boiling Springs

Rowynn Ricks Woodward News

Woodward, Okla. — Woodward City Commissioners have approved the spending of over $300,000 in emergency funds in an effort to revive greens at Boiling Springs Golf Course.

Commissioners held a special meeting Thursday evening to discuss the future of the golf course after the city's termination of its previous management agreement with JCLA Enterprises became effective on Monday.

The agreement with JCLA was terminated because the condition of the golf course, and the condition of the greens in particular, had deteriorated over recent months.

"It will take extreme steps to put the course back in shape," City Manager Alan Riffel said when addressing commissioners during Thursday night's meeting.

Those "extreme steps" included holding the special meeting itself, instead of opting to wait until the next regular commission meeting on Oct. 2.

Riffel said it was imperative that the city take action quickly if there was to be any chance at getting new greens growing before the first frost this autumn.

"The remaining growing season is extremely short so it is urgent that we act fast," he said.

So that is what the commissioners did.  They first approved a resolution to declare an emergency to allow for the "immediate outlay of funds" to repair the golf course.

The city commissioners then approved entering into a management agreement with Dunn Golf Group, LLC "for the renovation and rehabilitation and management" of the golf course.

According to the management contract, Dunn Golf Group will work with Jeffrey D. Blume, a golf course architect, and Eagle View Inc., a construction contractor, throughout the rehabilitation process.

As a sign of the management group's commitment to help the city rebuild the golf course, Riffel said that Dunn Golf Group will not receive any fees throughout the reconstruction phase.

According to the management contract, Dunn Golf Group's (DGG) compensation will begin "Following the substantial completion of the Renovations and the opening of the Course, [when] DGG shall receive a monthly management fee of $3,000."

In addition, since the contract with Dunn Golf Group is for a term of 5-years, beginning in January 2014, the group will be entitled to an annual bonus equal to 50 percent of net operating income from the course, according to the management contract.

But while payments to the Dunn Golf Group may be delayed, commissioners still had to approve a budgetary transfer to allow for the payment of fees for the architect, contractor and materials utilized in the actual repair work at the course.

That is why commissioners also acted Thursday evening to approve the transfer of $328,531 from the city's emergency reserves into the Woodward Municipal Authority's municipal property fund.

Riffel said that the $328,531 would cover the following:

• $46,000 architect fee for Jeffrey D. Blume

• $165,531 contractor fee for Eagle View Inc.

• and the remaining $117,000 would be used for materials such as seed, bedding mix and chemicals needed to repair all the greens at the course

"It's going to take a significant investment in rebuilding 18 greens," Riffel said.

However, the city manager said he felt confident that throughout the city's "extensive dialogue" with Dunn Golf Group, that both entities were able to do what they could to help minimize the expense.

Because while Dunn Golf Group has agreed to forgo any fees until the course has been reopened, Riffel said the city has agreed to pitch in as much as it can with labor and equipment throughout the reconstruction process to help save on costs.

"I do not have a lot of angst over the expenditure because I'm confident we've worked it down as much as we could so that we're not relying on someone else to do it all for double the amount," he told The News.  "And I'm satisfied Dunn Golf Group has done everything it can to help.  They've shown that they want to help this facility and be a part of it's revival."

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