The Buellton City Council on Nov. 10 unanimously authorized city manager John Kunkel to negotiate a lease agreement with Sierra Turf, Inc., a Nipomo company, to operate the former Zaca Creek Golf Course.
Under the agreement, Sierra Turf will pay the city $1,000 in monthly rent until May 31, 2012, and $1,250 thereafter. The company will also be responsible for renovating the course, driving range, and pro shop, and paying for all utilities except for water.
The city will be responsible for about $25,000 in items used for renovation, including patio screens and driving range netting, and will provide one city employee to help with the renovation, according to a report to city staff. The total cost to the city is estimated at $50,000.
The nine-hole executive course, located off the Avenue of Flags, struggled financially for years before finally shuttering last December. The Buellton City Council agreed to purchase the course for $500,000 in May, and pursued a management company to operate and maintain it. Premier Club Management of Lompoc was the city’s preferred bidder, but the company dropped out of negotiations in October.
This article appears in Nov 23-30, 2011.
