Berkeley Council Votes To Outsource Golf Course Operations

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NJ - After a steady decline in revenues, Berkeley Township Council members voted unanimously at the March 26 meeting to outsource the operation of the township-owned Cedar Creek Golf Course.

The township can no longer afford to maintain the course operations, despite providing almost $2.4 million for capital improvements and $2.5 million to subsidize the course operations over the past 10 years, Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. said.

"That is a cost of nearly 5 million dollars of taxpayers funds," the mayor said after the meeting. "It is unacceptable."

The township tried to raise revenue at the course the past three years by increasing the rate structure and an aggressive marketing strategy, but it was not enough, officials said.

"We did see a small increase in the rounds of golf, but not nearly enough to make an impact on the deficit," he said.

The Township Council authorized a contract with Farmingdale-based Atlantic Golf for a five-year lease with a five-year option, Township Administrator John Camera said.

Atlantic Golf will pay the township $125,000 for the first year's base rent. The rent will escalate for the first five years of the contract, he said.

Atlantic must also pay the township 15 percent of its gross income over $600,000, he said.

"Cedar Creek was operating at a loss, and in the case of the township, it meant that our taxpayers were making up the deficit," Camera said. "That deficit was considerable, costing over $2,000,000 over the last seven years."

The current full-time staff of roughly nine employees will have the chance to apply for positions with Atlantic and positions left vacant after retirements and resignations in the township, Amato said.

"We do regret this," the mayor said. "However, this was a business decision that needed to be made on behalf of all the taxpayers."

Cedar Creek's rates will not change, Township Council President James J. Byrnes said.

Atlantic will honor all gift certificates, previously booked golf outings, all current league play and the current rate structure, the mayor said.

Several residents who spoke during the public session said the township had never properly maintained the course or applied for Green Acres grants to help stabilize court costs.

"Cedar Creek has been treated like Little Orphan Annie," one said.

What do you think of the township's decision to privatize Cedar Creek operations? Tell us in the comments section below:

Photo: Courtesy of Berkeley Township