Playing a round of golf at the municipally owned Cedar Hill golf course will cost a few dollars more this year, as Saanich continues to chip away at the facilityB次元官网网址檚 large operating deficit.

The golf courseB次元官网网址檚 poor finances dominated SaanichB次元官网网址檚 budget discussions in 2012, after council voted unanimously to close the second-floor clubhouse restaurant to save money.

Last February, the potential 2012 golf course loss was estimated at $820,000. Closure of the restaurant and a restructuring of food service in the clubhouse, combined with hikes to passes and green fees, is forecast to cut this yearB次元官网网址檚 loss to $342,000, which will come out of municipal reserves, said Doug Henderson, director of parks and recreation.

Amid heated public discussion surrounding options at the golf course last winter, council approved a three-year plan that set predetermined annual increases to play golf. This season green fees will go up $2 to $47.70 on weekends and $42.70 during the week B次元官网网址� but itB次元官网网址檚 the pass holders who will see the biggest change.

For the second year in a row, theyB次元官网网址檒l have to pay more to golf less, as Saanich tightens restrictions on the maximum number of rounds playable in the summer season, while increasing a full annual pass by $70 and the restricted weekday pass by $38.

Val Mieras, president of the Cedar Hill Golf Club, told the B次元官网网址 last year that SaanichB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址減ay more, get lessB次元官网网址� golf plan was neglecting the courseB次元官网网址檚 most loyal players.

One year later, she believes the fees should be reassessed, as club members remain disappointed with the fees.

B次元官网网址淢y suspicion is green fees are up and pass sales are down, because many who wouldB次元官网网址檝e been passholders are now just paying green fees. ItB次元官网网址檚 not necessarily new people playing there,B次元官网网址� Mieras said.

Mayor Frank Leonard said B次元官网网址渢he signs are goodB次元官网网址� that the direction the golf course is taking is the right one.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e at the front end of a plan, and so far weB次元官网网址檙e making progress,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e in the right direction, but weB次元官网网址檙e not where we need to be.B次元官网网址�

He acknowledged, however, that the plan is still not sitting well with everyone. B次元官网网址淚 know that the regulars are not happy. IB次元官网网址檓 not going to minimize that theyB次元官网网址檙e frustrated, but we need to act in the best interests of all taxpayers.B次元官网网址�

In addition to having to pay more to golf, purchasing a long-term pass to access SaanichB次元官网网址檚 recreation centres is also going up.

The price for a 10-visit access card for adults rises $1.86 to $52.86, while an annual pass rises $11.90 to $411.90.

Drop-in fees for adults, students and seniors, however, will drop by 25 cents.

Henderson attributes that small savings to the adjustment from the HST to the GST/PST system.

Saanich council was expected to approve the 2013 parks and recreation fees at Monday nightB次元官网网址檚 council meeting. The new fee structure would go into effect beginning April 1.

kslavin@saanichnews.com

Did you know?

Saanich golf and recreation centre fee changes as of April 1, pending council approval

-A full annual Cedar Hill golf pass that allows weekend play on the course will rise $70 to $1,488. A restricted annual pass for weekday play jumps $38 to $1,125.

-This yearB次元官网网址檚 full pass allows for just 90 rounds, with a maximum of 50 played in the summer season (April 15 to Oct. 15). The restricted pass gets you 100 rounds this year, with a 55-round maximum during the summer.

-Saanich recreation centre drop-in fees are going down 25 cents, but 10-visit and annual passes are going up.

-Recreation centre 10-visit access card for adults rise $1.86 to $52.86. Annual pass rise $11.90 to $411.90.