The richness of the greens at the Weyburn Golf Club, which spawned local PGA star Graham DeLaet, are not disputed, but the riches on the ledger aren't enough to pay off a bill which could jeopardize the continued existence of the club.
Weyburn Golf Club President Brian Bakken said they currently owe the RM of Weyburn roughly $100,000 in back taxes and that previous potential solutions aren't enough to dig them out.
"Yes, we realize we are in arrears with our taxes, but until there's an issue resolved, I think we'll stay in arrears," said Bakken. He explained one thing would go a long way to helping them get, and stay, current on their tax bills.
"We've been taxed I guess, over the past I don't know how many years - there's been different areas that have been addressed at many meetings - but we're taxed as a full-fledged business by the RM of Weyburn. We don't feel that's a fair tax as it exists as we are a recreational facility," he said. "We're not owned by anybody. We don't even have full-fledged shareholders anymore because we are a non-profit organization and that part has gone by the wayside. That is the main issue: we do not feel we are a business; we feel we are a recreational facility trying to do our best in Weyburn and area."
"It's a pretty dire situation basically is what I would say," said RM of Weyburn Reeve Carmen Sterling of the Weyburn Golf Club's tax debt. "And it's kind of a tough one for the municipality as well because they are classed as commercial. We've done a number of things over the years (such as) petitioning the government to look at making some changes and maybe allowing us to have a sub-class so we can have a recreational sub-class.'
Sterling added that losing the golf club would be a huge loss for both the residents of the city of Weyburn and the RM.
"We both want to continue to see the recreational service of a golf course in our community. We think it's important for our community. They raise a lot of funds for charity and other functions out there in addition to their regular tournaments and even just providing recreation," said Sterling.
The RM still needs to have the property taxes paid, however, for the services it provides such as road maintenance. Sterling said the ideal situation would be to have a plan going forward that would allow them to pay off their debt and remain current with their tax bills going forward. Both parties would like to see a sub-class created towards that end, but it must still be approved by higher levels of government.
Sat, May 18, 3:00 PM
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