Wanaki Golf Course To Stay Open For 2020

WAUKESHA, WI — The Wanaki Golf Course will continue for at least one more season after Waukesha County Board officials voted to keep the course open in 2020.

On Tuesday morning, the Waukesha County Board voted to adopt a budget amendment that will keep the course open during golf season next year. Under the terms of the amendment, the County will fund golf course in operations 2020, with the intention of making it profitable in the long-term.

Under the terms of the two amendments passed Tuesday, Nov. 12, the County outlined their plan to run the course next year, while also creating a marketing committee that will pursue securing an operational lease agreement. The county also stipulated how to pursue leasing or selling the course over an extended timeline.

Unless an agreement to lease Wanaki for golf course operations is accepted by the County by Feb. 15, 2020, the county will run golf course operation until Nov. 1, 2020.

If no lease offers meet minimum requirements, the county can pursue selling Wanaki for golf operations by March 31, 2020. According to the amendment, if County officials do not receive a viable sale bid for golf use, officials could sell Wanaki for outdoor recreation purposes by June 30, 2020. And if that fails, officials could sell the land for "highest and best use."

Wanaki Woes

County officials said they would close Wanaki for good after the 2019 golf season. In spite of efforts to increase revenue, officials said the golf course operated at a loss for years, depleting Waukesha County's golf course reserve fund. In addition, Wanaki Golf Course requires over $645,000 in repair and replacement projects.

"While the decision to close Wanaki Golf Course is emotional, it's the only way to continue to offer any golf programs for residents," said Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow in a statement in early 2019. "Our staff has worked for years to bring in more revenue to keep the course open, but we've run out of options."

Waukesha County officials say that since 2001, Wanaki Golf Course has lost between $41,000 and $243,000 per year. In recent years, Waukesha County officials say they have tried a lot of different things based on recommendations provided by the National Golf Foundation to increase efficiency in operations and revenue, but could not offset losses.

Waukesha County acquired the 150-acre Wanaki property in 1967 after receiving an Outdoor Recreation Aids Program (ORAP) grant. Wanaki Golf Course opened in 1970.