Concord residents paying the same rate as non-residents to play a round at Beaver Meadow Golf Course – even though tax revenue has been used to fund the course when revenues fell short in the past – has long been a point of contention. That might soon change.

At the week’s City Council meeting, councilors discussed a possible discount for city residents that was included in a report released by Deputy City Finance Manager Brian LeBrun regarding fee increases for the 2024 season. City Manager Thomas Aspell had asked the Golf Course Advisory Committee to look at the resident vs. non-resident rates before the council set prices for the upcoming season.

“The committee also recommends that Beaver Meadow establish a resident day/time for golf that will allow residents to play during specified time frame at a reduced rate,” the report notes. 

City Councilors Jennifer Kretovic and Nathan Fennessy expressed opposition to increasing membership fees for non-residents but an openness to discounts for city residents for green fees. 

Kretovic explained how membership fees are the most reliable source of revenue for the course. She compared a rainy Sunday on July 16 to a sunny Sunday on July 30 and noted a difference of nearly $10,000 in greens fees collected on those days. With those day-to-day fluctuations always possible because of inclement weather, membership fees provide a predictable stream of money coming into the course. In addition, Fennessy noted, those who pay the membership fee are already operating at a sort of discount, given they can play as many times as they want throughout the year.

“I would suggest that at least from the Council’s perspective, it would be reasonable to have a conversation about whether we think a discount for Concord residents is appropriate,” Fennessy said during Monday night’s meeting. “I actually supported the idea of doing a discounted greens fee. I do think city taxpayers do contribute to the capital projects that we have done, and hopefully we’ll continue to do at the golf course, and I think it’s reasonable to show appreciation by giving Concord residents a discount.”

Kretovic warned of the risk of losing revenue because of this reduction in fees. She cited an estimated loss of $29,000 for a reduction in green fees for resident discounts of only a few dollars per round of 18. 

In addition, the need to hire an additional staff member to check golfers for proof of residence would require additional expenses, she argued.

“We had a resident discount in the past, and it cost us dearly against the other courses, when non-residents chose not to play our golf course, and it caused us not to be self-sustaining on our operational expenses,” Kretovic said. “The Golf Course Advisory Board was tasked at that time to reversing the trend of having taxpayers fund our golf course operations, and so the non-resident premium was removed, and it was one of the items that helped turn around the golf course to be profitable and to cover our operational   expenses.”

While no final decision was made, it wasn’t the only discussion about the golf course in the city this week.

On Wednesday, construction plans for a new clubhouse were presented to the public during a meeting at the course.

While no final decision is made, the city hopes to rebuild the structure that holds the pro shop, bar and lounge at the city-owned golf course to allow for more diverse uses. The current clubhouse was built in 1966 and has fallen into disrepair.

A preliminary floor plan from H.L. Turner Group published on the City’s website, lays out three levels to the building, including a covered porch and open area for outdoor dining and a second level that would mainly serve as office space for the New Hampshire Golf Association or other tenant.

The City has not released cost estimates, however, the budget for the 2024 fiscal year lists a $60,000 bond for 2025 funded through the golf fund and a $4.5 million bond for the eventual construction. That figure is simply a placeholder, LeBrun told the Monitor back in June.

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