Russell: The $10 Million Dollar Question For Concord

A Concord NH Patch reader, Charlie Russell, shared the following opinion piece.

Years ago, "The $64,000 Question" was a quiz show where people answer increasingly tougher questions seeking to win the $64,000 jackpot.

So now, let's play "$10 Million Dollar Question" — the cost of the new Beaver Meadow Golf course clubhouse project, set for a public hearing on Dec. 11 before our City Council.

1. When did the city first know this clubhouse project would cost more than double the $4.5 million earlier told to Concord citizens?
2. On August 16, 2023, at a public presentation on clubhouse design, no one could give a price, nor rough estimate, of its cost. However, by Sept. 30, they'd know what it would cost. Why wasn't that information released then, rather than just after city elections?
3. Is the proposed new clubhouse of 15,000 square feet really three times larger than the current clubhouse? Why?
4. How much in city property taxes would the golf course pay, if it was privately owned?
5. If the golf course were privately owned, and up for sale, would Concord taxpayers ever let the city buy it?
6. If the city ever considered selling the golf course, with restrictions to keep it a golf course, how much would it sell for?
7. How much Concord taxpayer money has been invested to maintain, upgrade and improve the golf course in the last 20 years?
8. How much of that money is still owed on bonds or other debt over next ten years, or more?
9. What is the cost of any other planned improvements for next ten years?
10. Where did the money in the city's golf fund come from?
11. How many different entities have run the snack bar over the past 10 years?
12. Why has there been that many snack bar operators?
13. What were the weekly and monthly snack bar hours of operation over the past few years, especially during Winter or off season?
14. Will the restaurant operator, pay for heat. lights, and other utility bills for its leased space like other restaurants do?
15. If current snack bar isn't open during the off-season or Winter, why would a larger restaurant be successful and profitable during those times?
16. Why should city taxpayers fund a larger clubhouse with a restaurant and function rooms for up to 180 people, when numerous private Concord businesses can meet that need?
17. Isn't the existing outside seasonal tent already large enough for golf tournaments and other functions like weddings?
18. Will the leased restaurant space pay city property taxes, like those paid on long term, leased parking spaces in city garages?
19. Who'll pay heating bills for low occupancy or vacant restaurant and function rooms during the off-season and Winter?
20. If the new clubhouse is touted as a community center beyond golf, why hasn't Ski The Beave, skaters, and other community groups had a presentation of recently revised plans and given a chance for their input?
21. How often are other city-owned community centers rooms used and rented to Concord groups? Why'd that be different here?
22. How could the Ad Hoc Beaver Golf Course Building Committee in October recommend a public hearing and bond vote for December's council agenda without knowing the cost of the project and not having done their due diligence, raising issues, and getting answers to the above and other many questions?

If you don't know these answers, call your mayor, city councilors or Ad Hoc Beaver Golf Course Building Committee members, whose names and contact information are on city of Concord website. Make your views known, and attend the Dec. 11, 2023, city council public hearing. After the recent design revisions, a new public presentation is needed. Construction isn't set to start until Fall 2024. What's the rush to judgment?

Charles Russell is an attorney in Concord and a long-time activist.