Qualiucm Beach town council has amended its position in regards to the rates in the lease agreements for use of the 17th fairway and the 18th tee box at Eaglecrest Golf Club.
In a press release Wednesday, Jan. 27, the town said they have invited representatives from Semiahmoo Golf Centre Ltd. to discuss details.
Last week, the PQB News reported club members have received notice that the ownership group plans to reduce the course from 18 holes to nine, starting April 1. Emails were sent to all members, with economic factors and issues with the golf club’s lease agreement with the Town of Qualicum Beach cited as the major reasons behind the plan.
The club currently leases from the town the land on the 17th fairway (23,163 square metres) and 18th tee box area (4,042 square metres) where the Eaglecrest sign is located. The five-year lease ended Dec. 31, 2020.
Town council has now proposed two arrangements for use of the town-owned land. The first arrangement is for the use of the 17th fairway, for a five-year agreement based on the current rate of $1,902 (plus GST) for the first year, and a two per cent annual increase for the subsequent four years of term.
READ MORE: Qualicum Beach’s Eaglecrest Golf Club plans to reduce course layout from 18 to 9 holes
The second arrangement is for the use of the 18th tee box, at the current annual lease rate of $376 (plus GST) for the first year, and a two per cent annual increase for the subsequent four years of term.
The town does not consider the lease negotiations with Eaglecrest for the 17th fairway and 18th tee box to be concluded, stated the release.
“Lease negotiations are a regular part of the town’s work schedule and are negotiated based on expiration dates,” it read. “When a lease is not signed prior to the expiration deadline, the town will continue to the lease, month-to-month, at the current rental rate as set out in the agreement. The expired agreements between the town and Eaglecrest Golf Course contain ‘holding over’ clauses, which allow the tenant to continue the lease arrangements as a monthly lessee. As such, the town considers the leases for use of the town-owned land at the golf course to be active.”
There has been no change in the town’s insurance requirements, outside of what was required as part of the previous five-year lease.
— NEWS Staff, submitted