To provide clarity and transparency around its ongoing support of the Humboldt Golf Club, the City of Humboldt hosted an information night on Tuesday evening at the Uniplex. The event drew residents to learn more about the city’s financial involvement with the golf club and the long-term plans to ensure its sustainability.
City Manager Joe Day addressed attendees and explained the rationale behind the city’s decision to partner with the Humboldt Golf Club during a period of financial hardship.
“It was about letting the public know how the city and the Humboldt Golf Club got into a partnership,” Day said, “and trying to help the Golf Club get through some financial tough times so that we can ensure there’s long-term sustainability for the Humboldt golf course.”
A 30-minute slideshow presentation detailed the evolution of the partnership. It began with a $150,000 loan from the city to support the construction of the events centre at the course. Since then, the city has committed a total of $330,000 to the club over a three-year period—$130,000 in 2023, followed by two $100,000 installments in 2024 and 2025.
While the club’s operations are now profitable, it continues to carry debt that it must service over the next couple of years. Based on current projections, 2028 is expected to be the first year the golf course will generate positive cash flow.
Part of the city's collaborative efforts with the club include governance reforms. A Governance Committee has been established, and the golf club has amended its bylaws to add two appointed city councillors to its board. These councillors will serve one-year terms, strengthening the oversight and alignment between the city and the club.
Joe Day emphasized the importance of preserving the golf course as a community asset.
“The golf course is a wonderful attribute for our community. It’s a beautiful facility,” he said. “It brings a lot of tourism dollars to our community, a lot of recreational amenities, and absolutely it’s something that we don’t want to see ever have to shut down.”
Day added that despite the current debt, the future looks brighter. “With partnership with the city, I think there’s a lot of optimism that the Golf Club can start to whittle down its long-term debt obligations. And after that, the city and the Golf Club will work together to see what it takes for the course to cover its own expenses.”
He also noted that the Golf Club had operated independently for more than two decades without city support. “The city didn’t have to worry about golf course operations for over 20 years,” Day said. “So, when they came in recent years and said there were financial hardships—and they might not be able to open the subsequent year—we knew we had to come together and find a formula to keep the golf course open.”
As the city continues to work closely with the Humboldt Golf Club, both parties remain committed to preserving the course as a vibrant recreational and tourism hub for the community.