Two More Years For Huron Hills

Huron Hills will remain a golf course for at least two more years, according to The Ann Arbor Chronicle.

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One of the potential legacy costs to converting Huron Hills to a non-golf use would be two union workers – one AFSCME and one Teamster – for whom other city positions would need to be found, if golf operations were ended at Huron Hills. At the community services budget working session, the city council had expressed a consensus that for the next two years, which corresponds to the duration of the five-year plan put in place for improving financial performance at the city’s two golf courses, Huron Hills would remain a golf facility.]

A little background for out of towners: The city of Ann Arbor owns two courses, the basic, no frills muni favored by beginners and walkers (it once was walking only) muni called Huron Hills and a more “upscale” and difficult track called Leslie Park. City “leaders” have decreed that—unlike every other recreational activity sponsored by the town—golf has to make money. Leslie Park—after the acquisition of a liquor license and more attention to conditions—profits, while Huron Hill does not. Disposition of Huron Hills, however, has been a problem—especially with Ann Arbor “commitment” to green spaces, and the vocal opposition of people whose very nice homes are on the course’s boundaries. There was a proposal by a local pro shop to relocate to the course, build a driving range and commercial building and continue to operate nine of the existing holes as a course. That was shot down, however, primarily because the pro shop required substantial taxpayer help to get the facilities built.

Now the course remains in limbo.