A proposal to sell the Stone Ridge Golf Course in Elliot Lake was defeated following an in-depth discussion including concerns raised by the wider public.
City Economic Development Manager Steve Antunes put a proposal before council last night to declare the golf course surplus, and then sell the golf course for $1.5 million to a numbered Ontario company.
He adds the course has operated at a loss for a long time, so the city would save thousands in maintenance costs, gain tax dollars, and the investor would continue the operation of the asset.
He adds one million dollars would go to Elliot Lake Retirement Living, the city’s partner, to cover their share with the rest going into city coffers.
However, all the councillors expressed concerns following a vocal outcry from the public stressing they followed the process as laid out in the city’s procedural bylaw.
Most councillors agreed if it is sold, it should be declared surplus and put up for sale to see what offers the city would receive.
In the end, the motion to declare the property surplus to open it up for sale was defeated.
The recorded vote was Mayor Dan Marchisella and Councillor Ed Pearce in favour, with Councillors Chris Patrie, Luc Cyr, Norman Man, Sandy Finamore and Tom Turner against.
