Calgary golf courses could have operations privatized - Mainly Due to Wages

[chemgear]

Government run operations with wages "not even close to market".


https://livewirecalgary.com/2019/11/...-to-the-green/

In Tuesday’s extended version of this week’s combined meeting of council, councillors debated a matter of urgent business to develop a Request for Proposal (RFP) to secure a long-term golf course management contract for the operations and service of City of Calgary golf courses.

“The bottom line in the issue with golf courses is the wages,” Sutherland told LiveWire Calgary.

“The wages are not even close to market. And because they’re not even close to market, they’ve gone from a profitable position to a negative position and will get even worse, not better.”

One of the biggest hurdles in the process, Sutherland said, is the succession rules in their union contracts. Should the golf courses be contracted out, current personnel would be kept on board with their current wage.

“We don’t want to be handcuffed and I think it’s absolutely unfair that we would have to be forced to lose money.”

[Fuzz]

Sure hope this doesn't end up losing the xc skiing in the winter, only only part I care about!

[Lubicon]

Provided their are minimum levels of service written into the contract along with other provisions (X Country skiing as Fuzz mentioned for example) this seems like a no brainer to me.

[Resolute 14]

Forcing minimum levels of service onto facilities that would otherwise be shut down seems unlikely to result in a good sale price for the city. Or many willing buyers.

That said, keeping Cross-country skiing lanes open seems like a no brainer, since the land would otherwise be generating no revenue in the winter.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I've seen job postings for golf course staff sometimes on Indeed and they were offering like $27+ an hour which is obviously insane.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Forcing minimum levels of service onto facilities that would otherwise be shut down seems unlikely to result in a good sale price for the city. Or many willing buyers.

That said, keeping Cross-country skiing lanes open seems like a no brainer, since the land would otherwise be generating no revenue in the winter.

XC skiing is currently free, so it is no revenue currently. It is all done by volunteers:


https://foothillsnordic.ca/ski-confe...n-information/


I think the risk would be a private operator worried about liability, and potential damage to the course.

[Resolute 14]

Well, in that case, you'd probably end up having to pay a fee in the future.

[Fuzz]

Ya, and I'm OK with that, I already donate to the ski club. As long as it is reasonable, I'm sure most people would be ok paying a little bit.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Forcing minimum levels of service onto facilities that would otherwise be shut down seems unlikely to result in a good sale price for the city. Or many willing buyers.

That said, keeping Cross-country skiing lanes open seems like a no brainer, since the land would otherwise be generating no revenue in the winter.

I'm not sure the City is considering the sale of the courses, just contracting out the operation of them? So basically the City hands over operation of the course, presumably with standards to uphold (fees, level of service, maintenance etc.) and the Operators would decide on whether it's worth bidding given their cost structure.

[lazypucker]

Are these city workers in a union? If so, there could be a problem

[chemgear]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

Are these city workers in a union? If so, there could be a problem

Other than these golf courses losing money year after year?

[btimbit]

Trouble is it's the same union as other city departments. So while some business units can absolutely justify paying $27.50 as a base labour rate, that's just nuts for cutting grass

[BurningYears]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Trouble is it's the same union as other city departments. So while some business units can absolutely justify paying $27.50 as a base labour rate, that's just nuts for cutting grass

and on the very rare occasion raking a sand trap...

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

Are these city workers in a union? If so, there could be a problem

This was first tabled in like 2014 I believe and the union has been fighting it. I think the new UCP budget really pushed things along though

[DoubleK]

This should have been years ago. Really hope the city sticks to their guns and follows through on this.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Trouble is it's the same union as other city departments. So while some business units can absolutely justify paying $27.50 as a base labour rate, that's just nuts for cutting grass

What is the matter with you? What you're advocating is a race to the bottom! People who mow lawns for half the year deserve the right to a living wage!

[I-Hate-Hulse]

There's been talk about selling these courses for development, which I think would be a loss to the amenities that make a city what is is. Not all sports can be done at a splashy new "Y" or hockey rink.

I'd much rather them contract out operations to a private party and keep this land as golf course. (To say nothing of the existing development that has occured on the basis of this being a golf course)

Isn't this how TPC Fox Hollow operates, under a lease from the City?


Keeping XC trails open as part of this should be contractually simple. Course operator gets the course from April to October. City Parks will run a XC ski groomer from Jan-March. (though if the people that operate Fox Hollow take over, we can all rejoice at the ability to golf on +10 chinook days in Jan...)

[Slava]

^ I don't think they can develop Richmond Green (which probably isn't part of this discussion) because there's a cistern under it. At least I heard something to that effect.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

Are these city workers in a union? If so, there could be a problem

Yes they are.

[Aleks]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

Are these city workers in a union? If so, there could be a problem

If I had to guess, I would imagine alot is seasonal employment or positions