BATH, Maine — Bath community members say they are worried about the future of a beloved local landmark.
The Bath City Council voted down a proposal last Wednesday to eliminate half of the Bath Golf Club's course to make way for townhouses, setting off a wave of concern and disbelief within the community.
It has come to light that the owners of the golf course were struggling with the financials of the course and owe over $150,000 in property taxes, leaving the future of this beloved local landmark uncertain.
Devoted members have spoken out against the change. Including Gina Ripley, a devoted member for 30 years, who said, "This is a tragedy and it cannot be allowed to happen."
Her sentiments echo the concerns of many long-standing members and neighbors who have fond memories associated with the golf course.
"A popular crowded golf course is losing money? I'm not sure," Alicia Romac, who lives across from the club, said. Her skepticism reflects the sentiment that a profitable golf course shouldn't be in such financial trouble.
City Manager, Marc Meyers, shed light on the city council's decision: "The council considered, and there was a lot of public feedback regarding that and ultimately decided not to move forward with that matter to the planning board."
The denial of the plan was a significant blow to Resurrection Golf's ambitions.
Resurrection Golf, which acquired the Bath Golf Club in 2016, faced financial troubles and an outstanding property tax bill.
Their initial proposal aimed to reduce the golf course from 18 holes to 9, with plans to construct 70 townhouses on the remaining 120-acre property.
Sean McCarthy, managing member of Resurrection Golf, stressed the significance of this move for the property's future, especially considering it was not generating the expected revenue.
Meyers further revealed the financial woes, "They owe real estate taxes for 2021, 2022, and 2023, totaling more than $150,000."
The golf course has a lien on it for the 2021 and 2022 property tax bills, as well as unpaid personal property taxes from 2017 through 2023.
With the rejection of Resurrection Golf's proposal, there is now speculation that the company might consider closing the golf course in favor of housing development, a prospect that deeply concerns local residents.
"Now because a group of ownership I think cannot manage a business, they want to destroy what's been around for 90 years," Ripley said.
Many community members share her sentiment that poor management decisions have brought the golf course to this point.
In a statement, Sean McCarthy of Resurrection Golf expressed hope to settle their tax debts, saying, "We plan to have all of the city taxes paid to current by the end of October to better our position moving forward."
He also hinted that the housing project might include affordable housing, a prospect that City Manager Marc Meyers believes could become a reality in the future.
Until a concrete resolution is reached, the residents of Bath continue to worry about the uncertain fate of their beloved golf course.
One concerned member, Peter Blachly, says, "There are other ways to solve this problem, but they are choosing to just make money out of it, and that's very upsetting."
The future of this historic golf course remains unclear, leaving the community in limbo as they anxiously wait to hear from the current owners of the club.