Indian Hills Gets Lease Renewal
NEWINGTON - The Town Council has approved a one-year extension to its lease agreement with Indian Hills Country Club, adding a provision for the payment of overdue rent to the contract.

       The matter was during executive session at the Council’s August 9 meeting.

       Under the agreement-from last July-Indian Hills pays just over $62,000 annually, reflecting a $2.5 million value.

       Originally worth $4 million, Indian Hills has seen membership declined due to what has been attributed to less interest in the sport. Last year it was reported that membership-at one point-had dropped from 275 to around 200.

       The club owed the town $22,324 in back rent, but last year the town agreed to reduce the fee by $12,000 in exchange for the provisions that would allow non-member town residents to utilize the course more often at the previous rates.

       Written into the 2015 contract are Saturday tee times for non-member town residents, with the option of bringing up to three guests. Other provisions call for a town employee league, youth programs, and a bolstered marketing campaign to draw new members.

       Under the terms of last week’s renewal, Indian Hills will pay a monthly $500-in addition to its rent costs-toward what is now $10,300 in arrearage.

       Economically, Indian Hills is not unique, as golf has taken a hit in popularity at courses throughout the country, then-Town Attorney Peter Boorman said last year.

       Clubs comparable to Indian Hills have seen value dips between $1.6 million and $1.9 million, Boorman said.

       So a study group was assembled to examine the issue and design a new model for the lease agreement-which stipulated that the club's rent payments drop with any decline in the property's value.

       Indian Hills first sought a modification-an addendum in 2014.

       Last year, Boorman estimated that it would cost the town around $1 million to take on the task of maintaining the course itself.

      
STORY BY MARK DIPALA  |  Aug 24 2016  |  COMMENTS?