Can golf course renovations block airport growth? Speak Up Newport will tackle the topic
Renovations of Newport Beach Golf Course will be the topic of discussion at Wednesday night’s Speak Up Newport event.
The course operator, Newport Beach businessman William “Buck” Johns, will speak about planned projects at the aging property and how they could keep growth at the adjacent John Wayne Airport at bay by keeping the golf course there longer. Newport resident and radio host Tom Johnson also will speak on the topic.
In February, Johns, president of Inland Energy Inc., asked the city to support his efforts to obtain a 50-year lease for the 18-hole golf course at 3100 Irvine Ave., which is partly owned by Orange County. In response, the City Council agreed to draft a letter to the county Board of Supervisors in support of the lease extension. It is not clear when the board may take up the issue.
In December, the Board of Supervisors voted to give Johns the remaining five years of the golf course’s 10-year lease after shareholders agreed to sell their interest in the course to his company.
Johns has said a 50-year lease would enable him to start improvements to the greens and fairways, driving range, pro shop, restaurant, parking area and events room that are expected to total $4.6 million.
The course has been operating in the space south of the airport, known as the “clear zone,” for 40 years. In the past several years, revenue declined and expenses increased, resulting in a profit of just $80,000 in 2012 and a loss of $130,000 in 2013.
The Speak Up Newport discussion will begin at 6 p.m. in the Community Room of the Newport Beach Civic Center, 100 Civic Center Drive.
--
Twitter: @HannahFryTCN
