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Date
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March 24, 2008
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Agenda
Item No. 49 Roll
Call No. 08-
Communication No. 08-154 Submitted by: Donald M. Tripp Park and
Recreation Director |
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AGENDA
HEADING:
Blank
Golf Course – Miniature Golf Course Fees
SYNOPSIS:
Amend Chapter 74
of the City Code to admission fees for the Blank Miniature Golf Course.
Item Recommendation Ages
New Section: Miniature
Golf Course fees: Free 4
and under
$5.00/person Child (5 to 12 years)
$7.00/person Adult (13 and older)
$5.00/person Groups of 10 or more
By ordinance,
rates for the new miniature golf course at A.H. Blank Golf Course need to be
incorporated into the Municipal Code.
The fees have been proposed by C-Corporation for their recently-added
business venture. The Park and
Recreation Department Board is in agreement with these rates and is requesting
Council approval of the outlined fees regarding the miniature golf course
operation at A.H. Blank Golf Course.
FISCAL IMPACT:
NONE
Blank
Miniature Golf Course is a part of the A.H. Blank Golf Course. The City of
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION:
At their
December 12, 2007 board meeting, the Park and Recreation Board approved the
second reading of various Park and Recreation facility fees and charges, with
the exception of fees for the miniature golf course operation at Blank Golf
Course. Board members had expressed
concern regarding the miniature golf course fees for youth between the ages of 4
and 8 years of age, suggesting that an additional tier of admission pricing be
added to reduce the cost for this age group.
Current
Miniature Golf Course fees are as follows:
Item Fees Ages
Miniature golf
play Free 3
and under
$5.00/person Child (4 to 12 years)
$7.00/person Adult (13 and older)
$5.00/person Groups of 10 or more
Since that
meeting the golf course operator has changed his recommendation to increase the
age for free play from 3 years old to 4 years old with 5 to 12 year olds paying
$5.00 and anyone 13 and older paying $7.00. Staff believes this change adequately addresses
the Park and Recreation Board’s concerns, and does not recommend adding an
additional tier of admission pricing. In addition, on February 26, 2008, the
With the quality
of the miniature golf course and the number of rounds played based on the
current pricing, an additional 4-8 year-old tier of pricing would not dramatically
increase play, and therefore revenue, and revenue may instead decrease should
the rates be reduced for the 2008 season.
In comparing the original business model with actual rounds played,
staff believes the proposed fees are in line with the market for the quality of
service being provided. The change of
free golf from age 3 to age 4 should provide a positive family experience for
those that bring their younger family members to the miniature golf course.
Other area
miniature golf course operations include
2007 Rates Company Child Adult
Sleepy
Hollow $4.00 (12 & Under) $5.00
On July 10,
2006, by Roll Call Number 06-1385, the Des Moines City Council entered into a
Management Agreement with C-Corporation for the private management of A. H.
Blank Golf Course. Under Section III. A.
15. Capital Projects, the City agreed to allow the contractor the right,
at their sole expense, to make improvements to the clubhouse and parking lot as
well as construct a miniature golf course.
The cash flow analysis for these improvements indicated the revenues
from the new miniature golf course would be used to subsidize the other
improvements along with additional future capital improvements, including but
not limited to, cart path paving, reforestation, irrigation system upgrades,
etc. The estimated number of rounds
projected in the business model for the first season (2007) was 12,000. Despite the shorter season, due to a late
start following construction, the total miniature golf rounds sold in 2007 were
18,666 with the current rates in effect.
The miniature
golf course constructed at Blank Golf Course has been very popular. It was
designed with longer distances for holes than is typical to allow for a more
enjoyable and enhanced experience for the customers, creating one of the best
miniature golf course operations in the Greater Des Moines area. There are routinely waiting lines at the
miniature golf course. Some attendees
surveyed have reported they have chosen other options due to long lines, but
not due to fees.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION(S):
Date: July 10, 2006
Roll Call Number: 06-1385
Action: On
agreement with C Corporation, (Jeff Chiodo, President) for the A.H. Blank Golf
Course and Clubhouse Management Agreement from July 1, 2006 through January 15,
2019, continued from June 19, 2006 Council Meeting. (Council
Communication No. 06-443) Moved by Kiernan to adopt. Motion Carried 6-1. Nays:
Hensley.
Date: June 19, 2006
Roll Call Number: 06-1239
Action: Hearing on agreement with C Corporation, (Jeff Chiodo, President) for the A.H. Blank Golf Course and Clubhouse Management from July 1, 2006 through January 15, 2019. (Council Communication No. 06-394) Moved by Kiernan to continue to the July 10, 2006 Council meeting at 5:00 P.M. Motion Carried 4-2-1. Nays: Brooks and Coleman. Pass: Vlassis.
Date: June 5, 2006
Roll Call Number: 06-1099
Action: Approved setting the date of public hearing for the agreement with C Corporation for operation and maintenance of A.H. Blank Golf Course from July 1, 2006 through January 15, 2019, (6-19-06). Moved by Kiernan to adopt. Motion Carried 6-1.
BOARD/COMMISSION ACTION(S):
Date: February 26, 2008
Action:
Approved recommendation to establish the 2008 A.H. Blank Golf Course
Miniature Golf Course fees to the Des Monies City Council.
Date: December 12, 2007
Action: Requested staff to review the fee for youth
between the ages of four and eight and report back to the Board..
ANTICIPATED ACTIONS AND FUTURE COMMITMENTS: NONE
For more information on this and other agenda items,
please call the City Clerk’s Office at 515-283-4209 or visit the Clerk’s Office
on the second floor of City Hall,