Camillus, N.Y. -- West Genesee Central School District wants to buy a nearby golf course for $4 million. The purchase would be contingent on voter approval, according to the school superintendent.
The school board held a special meeting on Saturday and approved a resolution authorizing the board to approve the contract to buy the Westvale Golf Course, which is adjacent to West Genesee High School.
The purchase, if finalized, would add 117 acres to the district’s assets. The 18-hole course includes a clubhouse, restaurant and parking lot.
West Genesee Superintendent David Bills posted a letter to the community Saturday saying the district would hold community forums, discussions at board meetings and a public vote before finalizing the purchase.
The district is considering a range of uses for the land, from a new transportation garage to more athletic fields, Bills told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard. He also said the land could be used for things like the expansion of universal pre-K, special education, fine arts and the career tech program.
“We know it won’t continue as a golf course,” he said.
The board acted in a special meeting on Saturday, in part, to get ahead of community rumors that the district was interested in the golf course, Bills said.
Bills said the board is targeting Dec. 11 for district residents to vote on the proposed purchase. Bills said the purchase would cost taxpayers $2.20 per home assessed at $100,000.
For comparison, Amazon bought Liverpool Golf & Country Club on Morgan Road in Clay in 2020 for $5.2 million. That course was 111 acres.
Before the purchase can go before voters, the district must take several actions, including an inspection and an environmental review, Bills said. The district plans to explore many possibilities for the land and discuss them with residents at community forums.
Gary Hewitt and his sister Deborah Anthony are looking forward to retirement as they hope to sell Westvale Golf Club to the West Genesee School District. N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com
Gary Hewitt and his sister, Debbie Anthony, own the golf course. Hewitt said the golf course has been in operation since 1930 and in Hewitt’s family since 1951.
He and his sister bought it in 2017 for $435,866. The 113-acre course was assessed at $973,000 in 2023. The nearby parking lot was assessed at $34,700 the same year, records show.
Hewitt said district officials approached him in February about possibly buying the property. Bills said they had heard rumors that the owners might be willing to sell, so they inquired.
Hewitt said he’s 66 and his sister is 70, so they’re ready to step down. He said they negotiated with the district.
“We think we did OK,’' he said, with the sale price.
Hewitt said the golf course will continue to operate through the fall season. He said he didn’t expect to close until late this year or early 2024.
The superintendent said the additional land would enhance the district’s current property. The district is almost landlocked, and for years the district has discussed finding more space.
“The chance to work beyond our current property limits presents opportunities for our students and the future of our district,” the superintendent wrote. “The location of the property relative to current West Genesee CSD and the access to both West Genesee Street and Kasson Road provides additional access points and space not currently available to us.”
Elizabeth Doran covers education, suburban government and development, breaking news and more. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact her anytime 315-470-3012 or email edoran@syracuse.com
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September 18, 2023 at 10:20PM
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