The financially-troubled Wanaki Golf Course is getting closer to having a new private owner.
The sale from the county would include a stipulation that a developer would run the site as a golf course for four years after the sale. A pressing question remains, however, for the grassroots group, Save Wanaki.
Will it be a residential or golf course developer?
Waukesha County's Land Use, Parks and Environment Committee will discuss in closed session and possibly make a recommendation to the county board on the sale of the golf course on June 16. The county board could approve a sale during its June 23 meeting.
The county cannot disclose how many bids it has received or if the bidders are residential or golf course developers, said Nicole Armendariz, Waukesha County press secretary.
But members of Save Wanaki are asking community members to write or email county officials asking them to only accept a bid from a viable golf course developer.
Wanaki financial struggles
The decision to potentially accept a bid from a new owner is the latest step in getting the financially-stricken golf course out from under the county.
Annually, the course had deficits ranging from $41,000 to $243,000 over the last decade and significant infrastructure repairs and upgrades are estimated at more than $645,000, said Dale Shaver, director of the Waukesha County Department of Parks and Land Use.
The course was actually slated to close at the end of the 2019 season after County Executive Paul Farrow did not include funding in the 2020 budget.
But after resident protests and a 6,000-signature petition, county supervisors voted to keep the course under county operation for one more year when they passed the 2020 budget in November.
This 148-acre golf course is listed at $1.52 million — about $10,270 per acre — which includes the 18-hole golf course and equipment, maintenance facilities, carts and storage facilities, putting green and clubhouse with pro shop, bar and grill, locker rooms and restrooms.
Finding an owner
Armendariz said county officials first sought proposals to lease Wanaki for golf operations to continue with no county financial burdens. She said the county received one response, but county officials rejected it because the proposal wanted a commitment of county funds.
The next step, Armendariz said, is to pursue the sale of Wanaki via a deed restriction. The property will then be operated as a golf course for a four-year term and a minimum purchase price of 80% of the highest and best use value.
"We have a fiscal responsibility to our taxpayers to not sell property at an undervalued price," Armendariz said.
If there is no sale by June 30, the county will look to sell the property for the highest price and best use, she said.
Concerns with a residential developer
According to the Save Wanaki Facebook page, many Wanaki supporters believe a full-price offer is from a housing developer.
"Because the price is 80% of the actual 'best use' value, a developer is trying to acquire the land for several hundred thousand less of best use value," said Jonathan LaVoy, a member of Save Wanaki.
LaVoy, however, declined to disclose why the group believes there will be a residential developer.
"Everything is so secretive," he said.
He said the property is much more attractive to a residential developer. According to the Wanaki Golf Course appraisal report, the land is assessed at $1.1 million as a golf course and $1.9 million for a residential development.
"It is too expensive for a developer to use it as a golf course, but a good deal for a residential developer," LaVoy said.
"It is a flawed process," he added.
'I don't trust a developer'
Members of Save Wanaki believe if there is a residential developer, there will be no sustainability for it to be a golf course.
"We believe that this land developer has no intentions to keep the land as a course and will likely run the course into the ground during the four years it is required to remain as a course," LaVoy said.
He said a residential developer can possibly develop the course at nine holes instead of an 18-hole course while getting other parts of the land ready for a housing development.
"I don't trust a developer," LaVoy said. "I don't think it is appropriate. People don't want it. The last thing we need is another subdivision."
LaVoy also cited concerns that the county will not monitor the course when there is a buyer. Therefore, a housing developer may not run it to the best of its ability.
In a June 5 email to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Shaver said, “The county does not anticipate monitoring the golf operations once the property is sold to a private party.”
County Supervisor Timothy Dondlinger, who represents residents near Wanaki Golf Course, said he would like to see a solid bid from a golf developer or one interested in maintaining it as a golf course for as long as possible.
"People in the county want to see this as a golf course," Dondlinger said.
The course is home to many clubs, including a 270-member men’s club, a 75-member ladies 18-hole club and a 65-member senior men’s league. Wanaki also serves as the home course for numerous high school golf teams.
The golf course opened in 1970.
"The community has a great golf course," LaVoy said. "We need to work through this."
Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KozlowiczCathy.
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