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Golf enterprise draws down CIP for major reinvestment; staff project revenue increases and water-savings plans
Summary
Salt Lake City's golf division plans $5.9 million in capital reinvestments for FY26 and expects revenue increases tied to Rose Park irrigation completion and a new driving-range facility; staff said water-use reductions are a target but noted many irrigation systems are decades old and investments will be required to realize savings.
Salt Lake City’s golf division told the City Council it expects to use the golf CIP fund to finance major capital reinvestments in FY26 while continuing to reduce the general-fund subsidy to the enterprise.
The division reported projected FY26 capital reinvestment of $5.9 million (on top of $7.7 million the previous year) and cited projects such as tee-box leveling across multiple courses, cart-path improvements, driving-range upgrades at Glendale/Bonneville and a $3 million irrigation modernization at Nibley Park. Staff said the golf revenue budget is projected near $14.2 million and the expenditure budget would be about $26.6 million, with the CIP draw enabling larger infrastructure work.
Why it matters: golf operations are a sizeable city enterprise with long-term deferred-capital needs; decisions affect water consumption, public recreation, and the city’s enterprise-fund balance.
Revenue, subsidies and deferred capital Matt (golf division leader) said rounds have risen (16% in FY25 and about 6.5% ahead of last year so far in the current fiscal year). The division projects a $537,000 revenue increase in FY26 based predominantly on user-fee adjustments and anticipated new capacity from completed projects. Staff said the total general-fund subsidy to golf would fall from $2.1 million to $1.8 million in FY26.
Water usage and drought planning Staff emphasized water use as the single largest budget pressure: golf’s water budget is about $1.4 million and staff said irrigation costs and aging systems — the Rose Park system is roughly 65 years old — are primary drivers. Staff described plans to reduce irrigated turf (Rose Park work is projected to cut irrigated turf by about 25% and project a 44% reduction in water use for that course) and to pilot drought-tolerant turf varieties with Utah State University.
Capital projects and expected outcomes Planned FY26 projects include tee-box leveling (multi-year), cart-path improvements, three course restrooms, three new maintenance buildings, the Glendale driving-range design and funds to convert manual irrigation at Nibley Park. Staff said purchasing new carts last year reduced lease expenses and contributed to lower contractual inflationary costs for FY26.
Questions from council members Council members asked for water-use metrics (gallons saved) and for more detail on revenue-producing partnerships or RFIs (requests for interest) for private partners. Staff said no RFI is underway now but that conversations with potential partners continue on an ad-hoc basis.
Ending The golf division described itself as moving toward reinvestment and reduced subsidy through capital projects and fee adjustments; council members asked staff to return with water-consumption metrics once projects (Rose Park irrigation, Glendale driving-range) are complete.
