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Greens Fees For Runners County To Charge Schools For Cross-Country Meets At Golf Course

By Dan Hansen danh@spokesman.com

High school athletes typically stretch their calves and quads before running.

School officials say a new policy will force organizers of one cross-country meet to stretch their budgets.

Spokane County commissioners decided Tuesday to charge for races at Hangman Valley Golf Course. That’s the site of annual district finals for small Eastern Washington schools. Most years, it’s also the site of the regional finals for larger schools.

The change means 32 mostly rural schools in Northeast District 7 will pay about $1,000 total to use the course in October. The county plans to charge 20 percent of what it would charge other organizations to rent the course, plus wages for county staff who help set up the meet and keep it running.

The county probably won’t charge for the day the schools are setting up the race, interim county administrator Fran Boxer said. The course is closed to golfers during set-up and on race day, costing the county about $1,600 in greens fees and $1,500 in sales from the pro shop, Boxer said.

About 500 runners participate in the meet, said Jeff Ellersick, athletic director at Newport High School and one of the race organizers.

The meet is officiated by 50 volunteers, Ellersick said. Spectators pay $5 apiece, but District 7 normally comes $200 to $300 shy of covering expenses.

The Greater Spokane League and Big Nine League from Central Washington - both with large, urban schools - make enough money on their regional tournament to cover the rental cost, according to county records.

Ellersick said the Northeast District’s executive board will have to decide whether to move the meet, look for sponsors or pay the rental cost itself. The race has been at the golf course “forever, as far as I know,” Ellersick said.

If the meet is moved to a hillier or flatter course, top runners would need more or less time to finish the race, meaning old records could become irrelevant.

Tuesday’s decision follows a trend. In recent years, the county has started charging agricultural and other nonprofit youth groups for use of the fairgrounds. In January, commissioners decided to charge the Washington Junior Golf Association when it has tournaments at county courses.

A state law designed to prevent favoritism and corruption prohibits local governments from giving away anything for which they normally charge. While some legislators say it wasn’t their intent, county attorneys have interpreted the law to mean the county must charge nonprofit groups for use of county facilities.

The county can provide a discount as long as it covers its expenses, attorneys say.

High school golf teams pay nothing to practice on county courses. In exchange, the schools open their gyms to volleyball and other recreational sports teams organized by the county, Boxer said.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: WHAT IT MEANS The county plans to charge 20 percent of what it would charge other organizations to rent the course.

This sidebar appeared with the story: WHAT IT MEANS The county plans to charge 20 percent of what it would charge other organizations to rent the course.