The city received two proposals for management of its municipal golf courses.

One proposal is local, from the Great Falls Baseball Club also known as the Voyagers, and one from CourseCo, a California company that manages golf courses in California, Oregon, Washington and Texas.

Proposals were due Sept. 28 and city staff have begun the review process with the hope of having a contract in place by the end of the year, though the city could opt not to accept either proposal depending on the details.

City’s request for proposals for golf management is out, responses due Sept. 28

Park and Recreation Director Steve Herrig said the golf proposals could go to a City Commission work session in November, but the timeline isn’t firm.

According to the request for proposals that the city issued on Aug. 24, a committee will evaluate and rank the proposals. The city could award a contract based on the written proposal but can also request an interview with those who submitted proposals.

City moving forward to seek golf course management proposals

The top ranked bidder will be invited to enter into final negotiations with the city for the purposes of contract award, according to the RFP issued by the city.

The future of the city’s golf program depends largely on the responses to the RFP. Since the golf funds owes the city’s general find about $1 million, City Manager Greg Doyon has been more vocal in recent years about the need to address that debt to give the city more financial stability. He said during budget discussions that if no proposals are received, or if bidders say the market can’t support two courses, he will likely recommend closure of a city golf course and he has encouraged the City Commission to have a discussion about whether the city can support two courses, especially since there are also two private courses in the city.

Proposed city budget would close Natatorium, potentially a golf course

Anaconda Hills cannot be sold, according to city staff, since it has a deed restriction that it must be used for recreational purposes.