Published: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009 / Updated: Friday, Oct. 30, 2009 11:15 AM
Making the case for croquet
Making the case for croquet in Tega Cay
The economy is not strong right now. Tax revenues are down. The city budget is stretched. Needed safety items such as completing fire hydrant construction and hiring full time firemen have been put off because of budget constraints. The golf club was losing money before the catastrophic events that caused us to lose the greens. Now, the city is spending a (not so) small fortune getting them back into playable condition.
At a time like this, it is reasonable for the citizens to ask the following question: Why would the City of Tega Cay want to construct a croquet court at the Golf Club?
There is an old saying, “The definition of insanity is doing things the same old way and expecting the results to be different.” The Golf club needs more memberships. Croquet will bring in at least 100 new members right off. The golf club needs increased bar and restaurant revenue. When the monthly croquet game was moved to the club for one day, earlier this year, the club did over $700 in lunch revenue, not to mention bar revenues.
Increased revenue from weddings and corporate events could help make the club profitable. Would croquet help in this area as well? I can't say for sure, but there are many non-golfers attending these meetings. Maybe this would provide an activity for them. An event lawn for outdoor weddings would surely enhance that offering.
When running a city, it is prudent at times to tighten up on purse strings and wait for better times. When running a business, it is necessary to make decisions and take timely actions. To say we cannot construct a croquet court at the club because we need fire hydrants is like saying we cannot afford to pay for the beer delivery at the clubhouse because we have streets that need potholes repaired.
What about the cost?
The payment on the $25,000 bond will be around $3,000 per year. That would be covered with membership fees from only 25 members. We will have over 100 signed up and paid before construction is even started. Not one penny of taxpayer funds will be spent. This is not some idle promise. We will have checks in hand before construction begins, or we will not begin. Add to that the bar and restaurant revenue, event revenue, greens fees from non members and you almost want to ask the question.
Can the city afford not to build a croquet court?
It is true that the current membership of the croquet club is primarily made up of seniors. I believe the reason for this is that we are playing on a soccer field. We can only play when the field is not being used by the kids; this is during the weekdays and during the day when most of the younger folks are working. Croquet is an activity that parents can participate in right along with their kids.
When we have a facility that is available evenings and weekends, others will come to know the contagious nature of this sport. USCA croquet is not the same game that you played in your backyard as a child.
George Noeth
Palmyra Drive
Tega Cay
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