MOOSE JAW — After recently celebrating its 100th anniversary, the Lynbrook Golf and Country Club is now celebrating its long-term future in the city by signing a new multi-decade agreement with city hall.
During its June 24 regular meeting, city council unanimously approved a 30-year lease agreement between the City of Moose Jaw and the golf club and authorized the mayor and city clerk to sign the agreement for the municipality.
The current agreement began on Sept. 5, 1989, and expires on Sept. 4, 2024. The new agreement runs until Sept. 4, 2054, while the golf club will continue to pay $1 annually to lease the land and retain responsibility for operating and maintaining the venue, including capital upgrades.
Meanwhile, on Jan. 1, 2019, the city signed a 35-year lease agreement with the Hillcrest Golf Club that expires on Dec. 31, 2053.
The Lynbrook Golf and Country Club is one of the oldest courses in Saskatchewan, a council report said. Meanwhile, other agreements the sports organization has with the city include:
- A three-way contract with the city and Hillcrest Golf Club to share costs for a new Snowdy Springs irrigation pump
- A water services agreement where the city supplies water from Snowdy Springs for a fee
- A 30-year irrigation system contract that allows Lynbrook to install a new irrigation system, where the city pays a prorated amount based on the total investment in the irrigation infrastructure and its life expectancy, plus inflation and interest if the agreement is not renewed in 2042
If the city chooses not to renew the lease agreement, it will owe the golf club $174,709 based on the double declining depreciation chart in the irrigation system agreement
Some clauses in the new agreement include:
- Both parties can extend the contract for an extra five years after it expires in 2054
- Either party may terminate the agreement by providing one year’s notice, while if the golf course closes, the property is no longer used for golf, or the club goes bankrupt, the city can immediately take over the site
- Upon expiration or termination of the lease, Lynbrook shall, at the discretion of the city and the club’s expense, remove all property improvements and return the land to its original state
- Both parties may agree to meet and review any major maintenance or capital projects that either wants to undertake
- Lynbrook is responsible for taking proactive corrective measures to address golf balls or other activities that may interfere with neighbouring properties; if the club and a neighbour cannot mutually resolve a dispute, the city may act as an arbitrator
- Better tree management practices to protect the city’s urban forest
- With 30 days’ notice, the city can access the land for infrastructure repairs, renewal and replacement of utilities and services unless the city must enter to address an emergency
- Lynbrook is now required to submit annual financial statements to the city
Council comments
The city is “very, very happy” with the golf offerings in the community because there are three excellent and important courses that residents and visitors can choose to use, said Mayor Clive Tolley.
“It’s fantastic. I can’t imagine a time when we won’t have these three courses. I hope they continue on into perpetuity,” he added.
Coun. Doug Blanc said the Lynbrook course was one of several at which he played annually, while he pointed out that it’s a busy place since there’s always a lineup early in the morning. He thought there would not be another venue that could handle that volume of golfers if council didn’t extend the agreement.
Coun. Kim Robinson said that Lynbrook was the first golf course at which he ever played, a time when there used to be sand greens.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, July 8.
