Agenda Packets - 2005/03/01 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Item No. 3E Meeting Date: March 1, 2005 Type of Business: WS City Administrator Review _______ City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Mary Burg, Golf Course Manager Item Title/Subject: Golf Course Marketing Considerations INTRODUCTION: The Bridges of Mounds View Golf Course and Learning Center is the subject of intense media focus in the recent months. The local media has enjoyed the excitement on the topic of redevelopment. While the possibility of redevelopment at the City’s golf course is of great interest to the community, the spin that has been cast gives reason for concern. The impression by many is that the course is already closed. DISCUSSION: Based on the activities regarding the development at The Bridges of Mounds View, a perception exists throughout the community that the golf course has permanently closed. The local press is exacerbating the misconception by several articles written over the past several months that undoubtedly and inappropriately promote that impression. This belief permeates the community. The result is the concern of a negative affect on The Bridges golf business. This concern is brought before the council as a point of information. No specific council action is requested. However, it is in the best interest of the residents of Mounds View to continue the operation of the golf course as a going concern this season. The golf course staff has every intention to function with the same attention to quality that has become our trademark. The challenge is to balance the flow of information with the fact the golf course will continue to operate this 2005 season. The upcoming March/April Mounds View Matters article articulates accurate information regarding the golf activity. The Wednesday, February 23, 2005 Star Tribune article “Mounds View Tries to move Mountains for Medtronic” is and a fair examination of possible development. Yet, the prior volumes of print have the attention on the development project as a “done deal”. Attached our two examples of marketing samples. Additional support and promotion to dispel the rumor is required. The ongoing negotiations, and the obstacles that have yet to be overcome take time. These undoubtedly affect the status of the proposed “The Bridges Office Park”. In the time required for the complicating factors to be reviewed, the course will continue to be in operation. A strong revenue flow will need to continue to achieve our goals until which time