City Wants More Control Over Chandler, Rouge and Rackham Golf Courses
Council lets current contract expire without making decision on how to move forward
The Detroit City Council has decided not to renew its contract with golf management company Vargo. Three of four city-owned golf courses have been managed by the contractor for the last seven years. The current contract allows Vargo Golf to keep all revenues from Chandler Park, Rackham, and Rouge Park courses. Chief Procurement Officer for the City of Detroit, Boysie Jackson says there is no clear financial overview of how the courses have been operating under Vargo. He wants to change the management model and give the city more control.
“We were not able to really assess what we really have been spending of golf courses because we wanted to be able to get audited financials from the golf company. So what we decided to do we asked companies to submit a proposal on how we could improve the golf courses, get it to look like any other good golf course in the United States.” -Boysie Jackson, Cheif Procurement Officer – City of Detroit
Jackson says he wants a new contract that includes better marketing, course upgrades, and kid programs. City Council must take action before April first in order for the courses to re-open.
