Evanston aldermen will get a proposal tonight to amend the lease for the Canal Shores Golf Course to permit more non-golf events there.
The Evanston-Wilmette Golf Course Association, which operates the course, is seeking approval of the changes to increase course revenue.
City Parks Director Joe McRae, in a memo to aldermen, says city staff supports the change.
The lease amendment sets out a three-tier approval process for various types of events, depending on their potential impact on the surrounding community and the level of coordination required with city departments.
Examples of the largest, “tier one” events that might be held at the golf course listed in the lease amendment include “organized cycling events, cross-country skiing races, concerts, charity fundraisers or tailgating for football games” expected to attract more than 100 people.
“Tier two” event examples include cross-country running races, organized softball tournaments and cross-country skiing races attracting fewer than 100 people.
These events would require advance approval from the city.
“Tier three” events, which would not require city approval, include “running, flag football or cross-country skiing groups” using the course other than for a race, and “picnics and barbeques that are not related to a fundraiser or larger organized event.”
The golf association, which had been facing severe financial and organizational problems a couple years ago, has recently revived its fortunes and has been seeking new ways to make its operations successful.
The golf association subleases land for the course from Evanston and Wilmette, which in turn lease it from its owner, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.
The changes are to be discussed at the Human Services Committee meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at the Civic Center.
Update Tuesday, June 3: The Human Services Committee approved the lease amendments without debate Monday night and sent the proposal on to the full City Council for action.