Golf Courses Get Break On Water Bill

The effects of the COVID - 19 pandemic had the Hillcrest and Lynbrook golf courses asking for and receiving free irrigation water for 2019.

The move will save clubs $22,500 in irrigation fees for 2019.

The clubs wrote a joint letter asking for relief from the City based upon three factors.

As seasonal operations both courses do not qualify for federal aid, there has been costly restrictions imposed on their operations with many sponsors dropping off and annual fees have been reduced and finally there are major additiobal costs to both courses to maintain safe environments for golfers and staff alike.

Both clubs said they expect revenues of 30 percent of average but still have to spend 100 percent of the costs to maintain the courses.

The agreement also relieves the City of repairing any of the irrigation infrastructure if it breaks down.

Irrigation water for the clubs is pumped from Snowdy Springs to the Spring Creek where it flows to a reservoir and is then pumped onto both golf courses.

Snowdy Springs was the main water source for the city until the construction of the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant.

Snowdy Springs is located on the southwest corner of the city.

Water reservoir on the Spring Creek - MJ Independent photo

As part of the motion the City agreed to enter into agreements with both clubs whereby they split the operational costs based upon a five year average. The five average operational costs to operate the system will see each club paying $12,889.05 for irrigation water in 2020.

DISCUSSION

Although approved at the June 29th Executive Committee meeting Councillor Brian Swanson asked for a re-vote on the issue.

Councillor Swanson said he had two major concerns that the agreement was not negotiated by the City in the best interests of all taxpayers and the infrastructure at Snowdy Springs was old, inefficient and there were looming infrastructure costs.

“The concern that has arisen is the Snowdy Springs reservoir infrastructure is old and breaking down. The pumps are inefficient. The dam itself has issues and there are costs looming in the near future,” he said. “COVID didn’t manifest itself until March of 2020. Why we would write off the water bills for 2019 is beyond me.”

Councillor Swanson forecast future bad news for the City because nothing was being charged for infrastructure renewal.

“My crystal ball tells me there will be a breakdown of the pumps at Snowdy Springs or the dam will falter…and the taxpayers of Moose Jaw will be on the hook for that.”

Using a five year average was unfair to the taxpayer because SaskPower rates were going up and the amount charged to the golf courses was based upon cheaper electrical rates.

“I don’t understand why the golf courses don’t have to pay the actual costs each year of pumping…I think on behalf of taxpayers there could be a better deal. For the golf courses it’s a really good deal.”

In the end the agreement was approved 6 - 1 with Mayor Fraser Tolmie and Councillors Dawn Luhning, Scott McMann, Heather Eby, Chris Warren and Crystal Froese in favour.

Councillor Swanson was the lone voice opposed.