NEWS

CARD TO CLOSE ON PURCHASE OF ARLINGTON GOLF COURSE IN GRANITE CITY ON MARCH 15
Improvements to Operations, Facilities and Financial Oversight Underway; Grand Re-Opening Set for April 2007

Collinsville, March 14, 2007 – The Collinsville Area Recreation District (CARD) plans to close on the purchase of the Arlington Golf Course facility on March 15, 2007 from its former owners for $5 million.  The 18-hole golf course, driving range and clubhouse are undergoing extensive improvements in operations, facilities and financial oversight, and are scheduled to re-open to the golfing public in April 2007. 

“We’re very excited about the steps now being taken to enable this golf facility to fulfill its potential as a quality golfing experience located in the middle of the fast-growing Metro East area,” said Mark Badasch, Executive Drector of CARD.  “We are using our extensive experience in owning and operating our network of public recreational facilities, including our highly successful Splash City waterpark, to correct the operating, marketing and financial management problems which have plagued Arlington Golf Course for the past several years under previous owners.”

Located at 200 Arlington Drive in Granite City, the 220-acre facility is one mile from the fast-growing Eastport Plaza business and industrial area.  Also nearby is the recently-expanded Gateway Center, whose convention and meetings business has grown significantly over the past several years.

“This acquisition is necessary to better serve the local golfing community, as well as our growing business community,” Badasch added.  “With new owners and a new management team on board, we are in a position to recapture long time customers who have gone to other facilities by leveraging new capital improvements, cosmetic updates, precise inventory controls, new technology and renovations to the clubhouse already taking place.  We will also seek group business, tournaments, leagues and partnership programs through an aggressive marketing campaign.”

CARD’s financial projections for Arlington over the next five years include a ten percent increase in annual revenues, coupled with more efficient operating costs and tighter financial controls.  This will result in positive cash flow each year and create the ability to continually improve the facilities.

Another enhancement being added by CARD is the creation of a golf advisory committee for the Arlington facility.  This group will help guide CARD toward constant improvement of the facility and of the golfing experience.

“This addition is a continuation of CARD’s mission to provide high quality facilities for residents to use in their park and recreation pursuits,” Badasch said.  “There are 89 public park districts in the State of Illinois that own and operate golf courses.  Of those, nineteen districts own and operate more than one golf course.”

“We invest in public facilities, and this is a good investment for our organization,” Badasch said.  “The addition of Arlington expands the CARD inventory of public park and recreation facilities available for enjoyment by CARD residents as well as the surrounding communities. With the rising popularity of golf, the rapid growth of our communities and the great potential for this facility if properly managed and marketed, we feel this will become one of the signature amenities of CARD in the future.”

Plans for the grand re-opening will be announced soon, along with a schedule of greens fees and other course information and improvements.

CARD is the public parks and recreation agency serving the communities of Collinsville, Maryville, Caseyville and parts of Highland and Granite City.