Weatherwax Golf Course is a community asset

Randy- Weatherwax is indeed a fine course for the community. With that acknowledgment, from strictly a financial standpoint, and with the course losing $200,000 last year, AND knowing that this city is financially strapped and just scraping by on the current budget, isn't this course a luxury that we can ill afford and benefits only a small number of people in the city? Isn't this like Sunset Pool in that it is a luxury cost absorbed by a city that can't even afford the basics and a small percentage of people use? Doesn't seem logical to keep it open if it's a financial liability. Time to mothball it along with Sunset until it is affordable within the city budget. JMO

vet--u just read about the problems at Wildwood. Forest Hills is ?able and Browns Run is having problems.

AK took care of Forest Hills. At least WIldwood is thinking. But not opening the pool.
From what I hear every weekend this summer is booked @ Weather Wax. And lots of reservations thru the week as well.

I see there is more Weatherwax news today. Dave Tieman Head Professional for 14 years at Weatherwax  Said that they are not expecting a great year. But they are not going to fold up the tents either. He goes on to say that if Weatherwax goes public that will make four open to the public golf courses in Middletown and thats just to many. With the reputation and history of Weatherwax its best to tyr to keep it private.

2000+-I made a comment that Sunset Pool( and Weatherwax) should be mothballed until the economy picks up and there is more interest from the residents to use the pool. We have a small percentage(less than 10%) of the city using the pool. It isn't worth the money to absorb the cost of keeping it open for so few people. Doesn't make financial sense. I realize that AK donated the funds to operate the pool for the last couple of years, but this year is going to be the last of the $50,000 per year used to run the pool. The well has dried up on the funding. What happens in 2010 when the 50 grand isn't there? With numbers like this, the pool is not an asset- it is a financial liability with alot of money spent to benefit a few- JUST LIKE WEATHERWAX- another money losing operation.Shut 'em both down-they're pumpin' crap! Why would the city keep "fully funding" a golf course when it has a history of putting the city in the hole at the end of the golfing season to the tune of $200,000! That ain't no way to run a budget.

So Vet, Why would't the funding for the pool in 2010 be a viable issue. Who told you that the well has dried up for funding? I don't know if you have visited the pool these last summers but it's certainly important to the kids who use it. To make your sweeping statements about an aquatic recreational destination and put it in the same catagory with Weatherwax and dismiss it as expendables is amazing.  If the Manager can make a statement that Weatherwax is fully funded for 2009 with it's negative numbers of  $200 grand for what ever it covers, who wouldn't want to know why a pool that cost the city less than $5.000 annually should not be part of the discussion.   There are how many golf destinations in Middletown alone? How many within 20 Miles? How many kids from Garfield Street are found at Weatherwax during the summer? There's only one place to go to get wet and learn to swim in Middletown and it's not the Y's. I'm afraid the membership would not be thrilled to welcome the unwash to their party. There a lot more to cut in a city budget that 5 grand. Who knows what can happen 116 months, I'm sure SOS will be happy to cash your check.....

2000+- The well has dried up because the AK $50,000 per year funds to keep Sunset open was for 3 years and this is the last season. The well was dry before AK started the three year gift of 50 grand per year because, prior to that, the city had no funds to keep the pool open and the Sink or Swim folks could't raise enough money on their own to keep it open. If they couldn't raise enough money BEFORE the AK gift, they probably won't do it after the gift expires this year. Again, if I were making a decision on keeping it open, I would close it. It doesn't generate any revenue- it only appeals to a small percentage of the citizens-and- this city can't afford the necessities like street repair, much less the luxuries like a community swimming pool. It(they- Weatherwax) are a financial LIABILITY to the city and they both cost more to run and they provide a benefit to a very small number of citizens. There are plenty of backyard pools for the kids to enjoy. Why do you think attendance is down at public pools- most people that want to swim want the convienence of a neighbor's pool to get wet. You can buy a backyard pool to "get wet" for under a grand or less.Recreation takes on many forms, be it golf or swimming.I think you can safely lump the two together 2000. Yes, the city funds Weatherwax every year- then, after the golfing season, they report a $200,000 loss in operations time and time again. It will be worse this year as people spend more on necessities and less on recreation/entertainment.

Could't agree with you more about Weatherwax. Haven't heard any #'s on the gate yet.

Thank you .......I give up... you win. These conversations are silly ... We both shoud get a life. By.

Taken from a weekly update to city Council from the City Manager sent May 10, 2009.

Article in Middletown Journal on Pool/Weatherwax

There was a recent guest editorial that mentioned the 2008 subsidy of $220,000 to  Weatherwax Golf Course.   The article stated that we were planning to provide that same subsidy for 2009.  That is not true.  We have fully funded the golf course operations for 2009; if the weather cooperates, the golf course will not need a general fund subsidy.

Taken from a weekly update to city Council from the City Manager sent May 10, 2009.

Article in Middletown Journal on Pool/Weatherwax

There was a recent guest editorial that mentioned the 2008 subsidy of $220,000 to  Weatherwax Golf Course.   The article stated that we were planning to provide that same subsidy for 2009.  That is not true.  We have fully funded the golf course operations for 2009; if the weather cooperates, the golf course will not need a general fund subsidy.
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