2007-08-06 Regular - Laserfiche WebLink

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Gavreal Feder, 7132 Amherst Mr. Feder suggested more public discussion be made available especially from the homes around the golf course. He suggested that the trees in the golf course layout are poorly maintained. Mr. Feder felt the Mayor Adams suggesting that the golf course would become land for redevelopment was extremely drastic. He felt it should go to the voters. Steven Goldstein, 712 Swarthmore Lane Mr. Goldstein testified to the value of the golf course to the community and the need to preserve it. He encouraged the development of a driving range/learning center and all revenue made be put back into Ruth Park for capital improvement and maintenance. Mike Molloy, 8130 Teasdale, Mr. Molloy stated that increasing prices every year is not a sustainable long term strategy to increase revenue. He said Ruth Park’s advantage was its central location and would do a fantastic job with a learning center/driving range. Mr. Molloy talked of Forest Park’s golf course and how it had become run down; with its rejuvenation, it is now a cash register and a civic gem. They had the vision to make a long term investment. Kevin Young, 4042 Westminster Place Mr. Young talked about the benefits of the Junior golf program available at Ruth Park. He talked of the advantage a driving range would be to this program. Paul Kneeland, 701 Oakbrook Lane Mr. Kneeland explained how Ruth Park was a part of why he became a resident of University City. He talked of the success other golf parks experienced with the addition of a driving range. Stanford Carp, 911 Barnard College Lane Mr. Carp presented a petition collected in support of the learning center/driving range. He believed that the money generated would help maintain the golf course and also the other parks of University City. Ron Akin, 15421 Vineyard Lane, Mr. Akin, Ruth Park golf professional for 17 years. He said he has seen 35 golf courses be developed creating an oversupply. He favored a driving range as there are none in this vicinity. He would like to see this facility be open to all and felt that right now the system was dangerous, showed favoritism, and allowed no outsiders to participate. Mr. Akin felt there was a need for people to just hit balls and not walk the course. He said that additional women, children and elderly would feel more welcome to learn the game of golf at a driving range. Mr. Akin said that he would make every effort to work with the surrounding homes. John Sterbenz, 6904 Kingsbury Mr. Sterbenz first heard of the learning center/driving range as an enhancement but until recently it had become a revenue service. He feels that it would enhance the revenue and the money could be used for the various youth programs. Michael McDermott, 6830 Kingsbury Blvd. Mr. McDermott became reacquainted with the game of golf at Ruth Park. He encouraged support of the learning center /driving range as it a beautiful asset to University City.