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Caso updates residents on golf course

by Fred Caso, chair, Town of Lewiston Golf Course Committee
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, May 8, 2004

On behalf of the 10-member Town of Lewiston Golf Course Volunteer Committee, this is to advise local residents of activities being taken by the committee.

As appointed by the supervisor and the town board, our committee has stated a goal of providing "the taxpayers of the town of Lewiston with information, and access to information, to allow for an informed recommendation to implement the contract agreement between the town of Lewiston and Old Creek Development Inc."

Old Creek Development is proposing to have the course constructed on 180 acres of land that is between Creek Road and the Robert Moses Parkway, south of Pletcher Road. We have been advised that the infrastructure for sewer and water and traffic are already in place at the site.

Currently, the Town Board and the developer are working diligently on finalizing a contract that would allow for the completion of the necessary environmental studies that need to be submitted to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. (This will) allow for the entire process to continue. The committee is not involved in the details of these discussions, but we have urged a resolution to the issues to allow for the studies to be completed and submitted to continue to advance this project.

Fact Sheet

The following is information from a Fact Sheet that the committee has formulated spelling out many of the details in the current agreement between the town and the developer. It is part of our mission to provide this information to town residents.

The Course and Development:

  • 18-hole quality course over 180 acres.
  • Developer selected after an RFP process and the review of three proposals.
  • Developer and course operator: Old Creek Development.
  • Course design and construction: Jay Moorish Associates/Howard Twitty.

Land Purchase - Rights:

  • No town funds will be used for purchase of the land for the course.
  • $300,000 purchase price secured from dedicated land-purchase-only appropriation from Sen. (George) Maziarz and Assemblywoman (Francine) DelMonte.
  • Course-land will be a "dedicated public parkland" and areas of the site will be available for recreational use by residents for x-country skiing and hiking.
  • All topsoil to remain on site for use.
  • Sale of clay that is not used on course: first $300,000 to the developer; town-developer split the rest.

Infrastructure -- Environment:

  • Infrastructure needs for the site are in place to address water and drainage issues.
  • Environmental studies to be paid for by the town; up to $100,000 to be reimbursed to the town by the developer upon the start of course construction.

Financing & Fees:

  • The town will finance construction of the course through a tax-exempt municipal bond.
  • The town will seek voter approval of bonding in a public referendum that will be binding.
  • Funds to pay for the bond will come from a Dedicated Trust Fund that will be capitalized on a daily basis from greens' fees from the course. The Developer/Operator will deposit 50 percent of the days' greens fees on a nightly basis.
  • Operator will supplement the Trust Fund to meet the full first-year obligation.
  • License Fees from other operations of the course will go to a Capital Account. Twenty percent of the license fees collected will be deposited into an account until an "acceptable" level is reached to cover anticipated capital costs.
  • Preference Greens Fees for Lewiston residents
  • In addition, Developer/Operator will pay the Town:
    • $10,000 per year for years 1-4 of operation;
    • $50,000 per year for years 5-9 of operation;
    • $100,000 per year for years 10-14 of operation plus an additional 15 percent of gross revenues after the Trust Fund is paid.

Statements & Reports:

  • The town will receive a monthly report on Gross Revenues.
  • Town will receive an annual income statement.
  • Town will receive an annual Certified Financial Audit.
  • Developer/Operator will submit to the town an annual marketing plan and budget.

Performance standards for quality are included in the contract:

  • Developer/Operator is responsible for all regular maintenance of course and facilities.
  • Developer/Operator is responsible for all utilities
  • Developer/Operator must provide food and beverage service.
  • Developer/Operator must equip, furnish, and operate a Pro Shop.
  • Developer/Operator must provide instructional classes for residents and L-P school (students).
  • Developer/Operator must provide a $200,000 indemnity bond for full and faithful performance of contract and to indemnify the town and hold the town "harmless."

In addition, the committee is requesting to develop further information on such issues as:

  • The cost of financing the project and the bond repayment.
  • Various environmental issues, including but not limited to, the impact on drainage both on the site and its impact on the Creek Road and surrounding residential areas; addressing the current mosquito problem at the site; and access to the site.
  • The driving range (which will not be lighted)
  • Enforcing the requirement that an experienced professional course operator be hired by the developer.

Our committee includes town residents: Robert DiFrancesco, Ralph Guerrucci, Richard Haight, Frank Mikliltsch, Jr., Gary Pacioni, Diane Roberts, Victor Talarico, Stanley Tubinis, and John Ceretto as Town Board Liaison.

Please do not hesitate to contact any member of our committee if you have a specific question you would like to see addressed. Several public hearings and input sessions will be held in the coming months as this project advances. We pledge to keep the community appraised of the project.