Township Council is discussing raising fees at the Indian Springs golf course to create prices that meet the area average in addition to generating more revenue.
According to Chief Financial Officer Tom Shanahan, greens fees will increase $1-$3 and membership fees will be reduced from 17 fees into five if council moves forward with the recommendation. Additionally, mid-afternoon is the lowest-attended tee time for the course.
“We’re looking to insert another tier into our fee schedule,” Shanahan said. “We hope to aggressively get more golfers and fill the tee-times with that method.”
All-you-can-hit fees are low, according to Shanahan, and will be one of the fees affected by the proposed change.
Currently, tee-time fees range from $50 in the morning to $16 late in the evening. General manager John Lindros is hoping to meet area courses’ average rates.
“We want to make sure Indian Spring is in line with every other golf course by starting to increase the greens fees, which haven’t been touched in a few years,” Lindros said.
According to Lindros, if the administration raised rates this year, there would have been an additional $30,000 in revenue.
“A big portion of business during the week is seniors and leagues. Those two prices are in need of adjusting,” Lindros said. “You’re most likely to see the biggest lift out of those fees.”
Currently, the country club is charging members private fees when the course is public, Lindros said. Additionally, residents and non-residents are being charged differently.
“Memberships are very important,” Lindros said, noting those fees needed to be worked out before the year’s end. “The proposal we made is to not have two different tiers for memberships. You need to attract people who are not from Evesham Township to become members.”
The council also discussed ways to garner more interest, including tee-time and lunch specials, packaged as a one-time rate.
Fee changes would not be implemented until April, Lindros said. No official decisions were made.
In other news:
The redevelopment ordinance was slated for introduction on first reading at the Oct. 29 special meeting, according to township planning board and zoning board planner Leah Furey Bruder.
The ordinance encompasses the Tri-Towne Plaza and G-Boys properties.
Once the ordinance is adopted and developers begin to come forward, council will approve the plans that best fit the master plan. Additionally, upon approval, developers will be expedited and seen by the planning board.
According to Bruder, the G-Boys property’s prospective developer is interested in opening a salon and spa, and is “possibly interested” in a restaurant on the property, which would likely be a “fast casual” restaurant, similar to Panera Bread or Chipotle, partially due to unavailable liquor licenses in the township.
Bruder is suggesting the developer demolish the current structure. However, there are two greenhouses that may be used for the new business if it so chooses.
Tri-Towne is also expected to be demolished and offers developers the capability to build retail, private education, including daycare, banks, dance and karate studios, entertainment, salons and spas, hotel and multi-use.
According to Bruder, the property could also accommodate 250 residential units.
While the Tri-Towne and G-Boys properties are outlined, the council can amend the ordinance for any additional properties it wishes to add to the plan.
The ordinance’s expected adoption date will be at the next council meeting on Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the municipal building.
