Mayor’s Monday Mailbag – Oct. 16, 2023 – What's Happening to the Tyandaga Golf Course?

Mayor's Mailbag
Written By

Welcome to the Mayor’s Monday Mailbag, an initiative Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and the Mayor’s Office launched to share weekly answers to questions from the public we’ve received through our main email inbox at mayor@burlington.ca or the Mayor’s social media platforms.At the end of the month, we publish a roundup of those most pressing questions we’ve received in the weeks prior.Mayor’s Monday Mailbag – Oct. 16, 2023QUESTION:"What's happening to the Tyandaga Golf Course? I have some questions.”ANSWER:Burlington's Tyandaga Golf Course is evolving. The City is looking to engage with current and future golfers, residents and neighbours on Tyandaga as a possible 9-hole golf course, in addition to other outdoor recreation opportunities that can be used in the potentially increased greenspace. It's important to note the overall size of the existing greenspace will not be reduced and will remain a highly-valued, public recreational greenspace for the public to enjoy.Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward has stated: "I can say with absolute certainty this Council and City staff will never sell Tyandaga Golf Course. We will never give up an inch of that greenspace. We have heard concerns from the community that this course is at-risk to development. Rest assured, we will never surrender this greenspace. We want to hear from our community about what you would want to see if there is any potential increase in the greenspace there and the overall future use of the golf course."Everyone is invited to provide ideas and feedback on what the space could be used for. Options include a driving range, practice greens or other outdoor recreation or cultural space. A report will be going to committee at the end of this year with options for the evolution of the golf course. The course will stay as an 18-hole course for 2024. Any changes to the golf course would not happen until 2025 and will require Council approval.The City held 6 in-person engagement opportunities for the public to provide feedback and we thank everyone who shared their input and ideas. Members of the community can still take an online survey at getinvolvedburlington.ca/tyandagagolf and share their feedback that way.The information collected from the online survey, engagement sessions, along with past surveys and engagements, will form the basis for the recommendation to Council on the future model of the golf course.Below are a few frequently-asked-questions (FAQs) that we've compiled that may help provide additional details about this project:Why is the City considering a change to a nine-hole course?

  • This potential change is driven by the demand for public, recreational greenspace, and to resolve some of the external safety issues along the border of the course. It could also provide a broader range of services for more people.
  • Residents have wanted more greenspace use throughout the years and not just during the off-season times of November to April.
  • We currently have 108 acres of space without expansion possibilities and continue to make reactive changes to the golf course; shortening hole 14 and most recently changing hole 18 to a Par 3 from a Par 4. Shortening holes in the future continues to be a possibility, and therefore want to proactively address concerns.
  • We have seen a change in playing patterns with nine holes becoming increasingly popular.
  • We currently have 65% of our green fee players coming from outside of the city. We want the area to be used by residents so we need to hear what would attract more local residents to the greenspace.

Will the City develop or sell any land for development?

  • No. The space will stay as public, recreational greenspace.

When could these changes happen?

  • If any changes are made, they will be ready for the 2025 season.

How can I share my opinion?

  • Anyone for or against this idea can delegate at an upcoming Committee or Council meeting, or visit getinvolvedburlington.ca/tyandagagolf to take the online survey. The City of Burlington held 6 in-person engagement sessions. We thank everyone who came out and shared their input and ideas.

What are the steps to this process?

  • Once engagement is complete, City staff will compile all the data and present options and a recommendation for the future use and operating model of Tyandaga Golf Course. This report is scheduled to go to Committee Dec. 7 and Council Dec. 12. Any proposed changes would not occur until at least 2025. Visit getinvolvedburlington.ca/tyandagagolf to stay informed.

What are some of the options for the greenspace?

  • Some options could include a driving range, golf lessons, leash free parks, bird watching areas, pollinator gardens, summer camps, disc golf, park, walking/biking/rollerblading trails or other recreational activity. The options are endless and we really want to hear from our residents as to what they would enjoy in that space.

What cannot be done in the greenspace?

  • Buildings or activities that need extensive construction work cannot be done. Examples include splashpad, outdoor pool, arena, community centre and others. Any additional community amenities such as playground, splashpads, etc., would first need to be identified and prioritized through our Live and Play Plan, a survey for the Plan can be found at getinvolvedburlington.ca/liveplayplan.

How many years has Tyandaga been in operation as an 18-hole golf course?

  • Tyandaga will celebrate its 50th year of the City of Burlington owning the 18-hole golf course since 1973.

•                    •                    •

RELATED LINKS:

Previous

Burlington Mayor to Present Budget Focused on Essentials, Front Line Services & Preparing for Growth
Next

Mayor Meed Ward’s Weekly Update: Oct. 16-22, 2023