West Memphis staff says Metobrook greens need partial rebuild; management contract under review

City staff told the West Memphis City Council that scientific testing of the Metobrook Country Club greens found decades of resanding have compacted the putting surfaces, preventing proper water penetration and requiring a partial rebuild.

"They brought a company in and they did a soil test and assessment of all the greens," a staff member said. "What the scientific testing came back and said was that they've been resanding the greens, putting sand on them for 50 years and the sand is packed so hard in there no water can penetrate into the green. So they need to...this is kind of a half rebuild of the greens." The staff member said the work would include loosening the packed sand, turning the soil and replanting to meet a mid-summer opening target.

Officials said the city has completed the purchase of the country club and is finalizing a management contract with a private operator. "We have a contract from the one that we're going through contract review right now," the staff member said, adding that attorneys had just returned redlines and the parties would negotiate changes before presenting the contract to the council for ratification.

The staff member framed the schedule as revenue-driven: opening in July would allow the course to begin generating income for the facility. Council members asked for timing and other details; staff confirmed they would return to council when the contract negotiations are complete.

The council took the three bid openings on the agenda, including the golf-course work, and voted to refer them back to department heads for processing. The motion carried with an opposition noted in the record.