Council approves Prairie View Study

WORTHINGTON — The Worthington City Council Monday authorized a study of Prairie View Golf Links and the Worthington Country Club that will aim to improve course operations.

The $7,000 study, to be completed by Effective Golf Course Systems, will analyze the courses and other golfing alternatives in the area, examining them in terms of the golf market, revenues, expenses and operations. The study will provide marketing suggestions and explore the potential of a partnership between the two Worthington facilities.

“(EGCS) is going to let us know what it is going to cost us to run these things together,” said Alderman Mike Kuhle in reference to a potential partnership.

Council members said it is important to consider all options in the operation of Prairie View Golf Links — even the possibility of its sale — and they hope the study will give them the “cold, hard facts” necessary to make wise decisions.

Alderman Lyle Ten Haken said EGCS should take an especially close look at ways to improve membership and total number of rounds played.

“It appears to me that we do not have as much of a problem on the expenses side as we do on the revenue side, so if we could direct them to that,” he said.

In other business, the council Monday:

- Authorized the mayor to execute Amendment No. 1 to Task Order No. 1 to the professional services agreement with Mead and Hunt. This would add bituminous pavement maintenance design for one runway at the Worthington Municipal Airport and add a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program for Fiscal Year 2009 to the design contract.

- Authorized an order to repair or demolish rental units at 516 Humiston Ave.

- Continued discussion about the possibility of installing geothermal energy in Memorial Auditorium.