The St. Paul City Council on Wednesday will take up a resolution to turn over operations of two city-owned golf courses to a private company.
The proposed contract, with Prom Management Group of Oakdale, won unanimous approval last week from the Parks and Recreation Commission. The commission, an advisory board, voted at the end of a two-hour meeting in which several residents testified, many of whom spoke against the proposal.
Parks officials say that putting management of the Como and Phalen courses in private hands will increase revenues, wipe out operating losses and earn St. Paul an estimated $400,000 annually.
The courses would continue to be owned by the city. About 20 full-time workers would be reassigned to the two Highland golf courses or other open parks jobs.
The Prom contract would extend for five years and require the council to waive the city's two-year limit. Prom asked for the longer term to guarantee a return on its investments in the courses.
KEVIN DUCHSCHERE
@KDuchschere
