$10.2 Million OKd to Upgrade Golf Course

The Thousand Oaks City Council has voted to spend $10.2 million to rehabilitate Los Robles Golf Course.

The action Tuesday night followed the council’s approval of a new master plan for the golf course west of Moorpark Road and south of the Ventura Freeway--the first major renovations in 30 years.

The project budget includes $1.5 million to improve irrigation and drainage, $4.7 million to improve playing surfaces, $1 million in improvements for access and circulation and $3 million to build a new clubhouse and banquet facility.

About $1.65 million will come from greens fees and other revenue generated by the golf course. Another $3 million will be shifted from the city’s general fund.

The city also will issue bonds worth $4.5 million. The rest will be paid by developers of the Dos Vientos housing project.

Although the council approved funding for renovations, it stopped short of agreeing to a $985,570 contract with Halsey Daray Golf to design and manage the project’s construction. Councilman Andrew Fox requested a two-week delay to discuss the issue with local residents, some of whom, he said, are professional golf course designers.

The council also stopped short of moving to protect the 300-acre-plus former Broome Ranch from future development. At one time, the city considered building a second public golf course on the property across from Dos Vientos, but environmental issues halted the project.

In a move that sparked debate, Mayor Linda Parks made a motion to immediately protect Broome Ranch by rezoning it as permanent open space. Her motion failed 1-4.

She then moved that the city officially remove Broome Ranch from consideration as a golf course. That motion also failed 1-4.