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Lanier Golf Course Update – January, 2010
Information Provided by the Lanier Lifestyle Organization
Opening
Remarks
A little over a year ago the voters of Forsyth County, including those of
district 5, approved a $100,000,000 park, recreation, and greenspace bond issue.
Since that time most of the greenspace money has been spent and most of the park
and recreation portion has been committed.
District 5 has almost 20% of the county population. They voted for the bond and
are now paying taxes to pay for that bond. There is no county owned greenspace
or recreation in the heavily populated southern section of District 5 and there
is a need. Yet almost none of those funds have been allocated to District
5. The residents of District 5 deserve a proportionate share of the funds that
they are paying for.
Those that have voiced their wishes, live throughout District 5.
Most do not live on the course nor adjacent to it, but simply recognize that
this property is an asset to the area and to the county in general.
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Members of the BOC have stated that district 5 deserves a reasonable
portion of the bond funds.
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The property that the residents want can
be purchased for a fraction of what other properties have cost and it’s
already improved.
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All of the other properties purchased will require millions in additional
tax dollars for improvements and then millions more in operating expenses.
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The county will incur no cost to make it usable. Under the proposed lease
agreement with lessee, Lanier will be preserved as open space and
recreation.
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The lessee will pay the county millions for that lease, dramatically
reducing the acquisition cost to the county.
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They will guarantee the county no ongoing operating expenses.
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They will invest over a million in improvements to a county owned property.
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Its preservation will save over 30
jobs and potentially add an additional 10 more jobs.
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The golf course operation will generate roughly $140,000 in sales tax
annually.
Affiniti Golf Partners, Lessee, will provide the following benefits to Forsyth
County:
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Adopt a School Program-
Affiniti Golf Partners will make practice time available at the course, to
the County High School Teams designated by Commissioners twice per week
while school is in session at no charge if tees times start after 3PM and
players can walk the course. (Days of Practice -
between Monday & Thursday - will be mutually agreed upon with Team Coach and
Course Management.)
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Forsyth County Annual High School Tournament- Affiniti
Golf Partners will organize and hold an annual one day High School
Tournament for competing Forsyth County High School Golf Teams at no charge
to school participants. Affiniti Golf Partners will
award a County High School Championship Trophy* to the winning School.
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Discount
to County Residence- 10%- Any
Current County Resident playing the course will receive a 10% Discount off
Standard Daily Rates (Regular, Senior or Student) on any day of play
provided players present a current and valid ID (driver’s license, etc.)
verifying county of residence at time of play.
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Annual County Tournament with proceeds going to the County Park &
Rec Department or Charity of Choice-
Affiniti Golf Partners will organize and conduct an Annual Forsyth County
Parks & Recreation Fund Raising Tournament* each Spring with proceeds
donated to Forsyth County Parks & Recreation General Fund. Affiniti
Management will organize the Tournament Details and Parks & Recreation will
assist in promotions and advance sign-up of participants.
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VIP Passes-
County shall at all times during the term of this lease have access to up to
four complimentary golf passes per week for any persons chosen by COUNTY to
play at any time for no green or cart fee. The
Director shall coordinate with Affiniti or their designee to utilize these
passes.
Closing Remarks
District 5 has a need for County owned open recreational greenspace. It deserves
a reasonable share of the bond funds. The property that the residents desire to
preserve is large, it is open, it is green and it is recreational. Its price per
acre is much less than other purchases and it will require no additional tax
dollars to make it usable. It will require no future tax dollars for operation.
It will save existing jobs and create new jobs. It will actually generate income
for the county through sales taxes. It will be a cooperative effort between
local government and private enterprise that will satisfy a public need with a
savings of millions of tax dollars.
If you
approve of what the organization is doing to protect your lifestyle and preserve
your property value, please donate today. Our efforts have cost many of your
neighbors personally and there are ongoing lobbying and out of pocket expenses
that can be offset by your donations. Thank you for
your support. Click here to
donate whatever you can afford today.
$100.00 gets you a set of four beautiful Lanier Lifestyle coffee
mugs
The
most recent updates are always available at www.lanierlifestyle.com
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