Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Transfer First Tee topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Virginia Beach council signals support to transfer First Tee property to YMCA with reverter protection
Summary
Councilmembers on Feb. 10 expressed support for transferring or long‑term leasing the city‑owned First Tee property (about 80 acres) to the YMCA of Southampton Roads so the nonprofit can invest in the program; staff presented options including a deed with a reverter clause and an extended lease through 2037.
City staff presented the City Council on Feb. 10 with options to extend a lease or transfer title of the First Tee property to the YMCA of Southampton Roads so the nonprofit can continue and expand youth programming.
Amanda, a city staff member presenting the item, said the property is approximately 80 acres and includes a nine‑hole junior golf campus, clubhouse and driving range. “They have over 1,100 members that participate in the programs every year, and they've experienced 400% growth in the past three years,” Amanda said.
The property is owned by the city and subleased to the YMCA via the Virginia Beach Development Authority; the current sublease term runs through 2037. Amanda told council the YMCA has requested a long‑term extension or to take title to facilitate necessary capital investments. Staff presented three pathways: renew/extend the existing lease beyond 2037 (the VBDA can enter very long leases), transfer/sell the property to the YMCA with a deed restriction/reverter clause if the use changes, or take no action and maintain the current lease.
Councilmember Rosemary recommended selling or gifting the property (for nominal consideration) and adding a reverter clause to ensure the land reverts to the city if the First Tee mission ceases. “If they own it, then they could be able to raise money to do all these different ideas that they have,” Rosemary said, and added that a legally enforceable reversion/deed restriction would protect the city’s interest.
Several councilmembers voiced support, calling First Tee an established community partner that delivers youth development and access to golf. Other members cautioned about shared facilities and encroachments stemming from the existing lease; Amanda said preliminary conversations about shared services and encroachments have occurred and staff are confident these issues can be resolved.
Council direction: after discussion and assurances that shared‑use issues can be worked out, the mayor indicated no objections and directed staff to move the item forward on the council agenda for final action.
Why it matters: transferring title or extending a lease would allow the YMCA/First Tee to invest in capital improvements and fundraising while a reverter clause was proposed to protect the public interest and prevent conversion to non‑program uses.
What’s next: staff will return with the specific legal instruments and terms (lease extension language or deed/reversion language) for council consideration and formal action.
