New Options To Save Fisher Golf Course

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Story Published: Aug 27, 2008 at 5:39 PM PDT

By Steve Wellman

It's a well-kept and convenient golf course right in the middle of town. But the big problem with Fisher golf course is not enough golfers and the high cost of maintaining the greens.
Some critics say Fisher should be closed and turned into a park. But Yakima City Council has a few other ideas.

"I know I've heard people tell me they're interested in leasing it from the city and operating it," says council member Norm Johnson. He believes leasing out the course is better than shutting it down, and he says Yakima has to be creative in tough financial times. “I think everything's on the table in my opinion because we've got to cut corners we've got to save the taxpayer money and be responsive."

Sources tell Action News that the main reason Fisher's not beating costs is the high salaries of city workers covered by labor contracts. If a private party ran the course, they wouldn't have that problem.

Johnson explains, "They're not beholden to labor contracts and could operate and give the same service at less of a draw on our budget”

But another council member says the city is still a long way from signing with a lease with someone else…because there's still reason to believe Yakima can turn Fisher around.

"We've got great people working it right now to keep it in city ownership,” says Neil McClure. “They're bringing up attendance and people are playing golf there.”

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