The City of Kelowna has signed to a five-year lease agreement with a Lower Mainland company to operate a local golf course the city bought earlier this year.
The city and Monaghan Golf Group signed the agreement for Monaghan to lease and operate the Shadow Ridge Golf Course, on Bulman Road near the Kelowna International Airport.
Course operations will be passed over to the new operator Nov. 1 at the end of the 2016 golf season.
The City bought the course in January 2016, in support of its long-term land use strategy for nearby airport.
“Members can continue to expect the same great experience at Shadow Ridge,” said Tom Monaghan, president of the Monaghan Golf Group.
“We’re completing on-site training with the current team to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible.”
In May, city staff started a process it said was aimed at attracting as many "high quality" bidders as possible to run the golf course. All bids had to be submitted by June 17.
Of five complete bids, Monaghan Golf Group was chosen because the company is highly experienced and is considered by city hall to be a qualified golf course management company, that manages several high quality courses in the Lower Mainland.
“Our intention is to see the golf course operate as long as it’s feasible,” said Sam Samaddar, airport director.
“Shadow Ridge is a great recreational opportunity for our citizens and we want to ensure its success continues.”
Membership, rates and amenities will remain unchanged as operations transition to Monaghan Golf Group for the 2017 season, said the city.