Warren council discusses future of Old Avalon Golf Course
The city is looking for a new operator for 2019 after current owner Larry Petrozzi decided to walk away at the end of the year.
Warren City Council discussed the future of Old Avalon Golf Course Tuesday night.
Owner Larry Petrozzi says he is done running the course at the end of this year, despite having another year left on the contract with the city.
Director of Public Safety and Service, Enzo Cantalamessa, says they are working to find a new operator who will sublease the golf course from Petrozzi.
"Right now what we're looking at is making sure we get another qualified operator in there that has the financial capability to run the course and make sure that the asset, meaning the course itself, is protected throughout the winter so that it's ready and available to be played in the spring," said Cantalamessa.
Cantalamessa also wanted to clear up rumors that Petrozzi was just abandoning the course and laying off all employees. He says that is not the case. The course always closes this time of year for the Winter and the employees have to find work elsewhere because he doesn't maintain it during Winter months.
Scott Karabin is the PGA Head Professional at Tam O'Shanter golf course in Pennsylvania and addressed council saying he has been in contact with Petrozzi about taking over the property. Cantalamessa says others have also inquired about subleasing the property.
Cantalamessa says while discussions of economic development on the land continue to take place and should take place, he says the immediate need now is to maintain the course.
"There's been some discussions, there's been some stories that suggest there might be some development opportunity on course in the form of a USDA office building or some other rumors about some other developments. We welcome those conversations and would be receptive to any development going forward but in the meantime, it's a golf course and we need to maintain it as such until another opportunity comes about. If we don't and it just goes to seed and becomes overgrown, that doesn't behoove anybody. Right now we are in asset protection and prevention model, get an operator there, get it running and then if any development materializes in a year or two or three down the road, we're ready to jump on it."
One idea was suggested to sell the property outright and use the money for street and road repairs. That idea was not well received.