Chelan launches new study aimed at long-term sustainability of city golf course

CHELAN — City leaders have launched a new effort to determine the long-term future of the Lake Chelan Golf Course, bringing in a national consultant to evaluate how the municipal facility can become financially sustainable.

Parks and Recreation Director Audrey Cooper introduced Richard Singer of the National Golf Foundation at the Feb. 24 city council meeting, saying he had already met individually with council members and the mayor during a multi-day visit.

Singer, who has 35 years of experience working with municipal golf courses across the country, said his initial work will focus on learning the course’s operations, finances and role in the community before returning with recommendations.

“It’s a really very neat piece of property and a great golf course there. And it seems like a great asset for this community,” Singer said.

The course has been the subject of multiple studies and council discussions over the years, and council members said they hope the latest review will lead to a clearer long-term direction.

The Lake Chelan Golf Course is one of the city’s larger recreational assets and operates as a municipal facility, meaning its performance has long been part of the broader budget and policies.

“We’ve done a lot of studies of the golf course over the years,” Councilmember Tim Hollingsworth said. He added he is hopeful the new effort will produce “more concrete plans … for that facility to be more self-sustaining and to realize its potential.”

Singer’s firm specializes in financial and operational planning for city-owned courses, and he is expected to return to council with findings and potential options for the facility’s future.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media