Tax break for Royal Regina Golf Club reinstated during budget deliberations

A tax break for the Regina Royal Golf Club has been reinstated, after it was axed earlier this year.

On Sept. 29, city council voted to remove the club’s partial tax exemption, but after debate during budget deliberations on Wednesday, the decision was reversed.

Ryan Pollock, the golf club’s general manager, spoke to council and answered questions to plead his case.

He believes the exemption should not have been removed in the first place.

“I get the impression that this was an attempt to quickly pass this change through at the (Sept. 29) city council meeting, as there appeared to be limited research or investigation into the matter before it was voted on,” he told council.

One of his main arguments was that the club already pays more than $77,000 a year in municipal taxes. Meanwhile, the city-owned courses don’t pay municipal taxes. If the Royal Regina had to pay an extra $17,000 due to the removal of its partial exemption, Pollock said the club would be forced to raise fees for those who golf at the course.

“The basis of this tax (break) was introduced because we were in direct competition with city-owned courses,” Pollock said. “An increase to our fees takes us out of competition with the city.

“As I stated, we’re conscious on keeping our fees competitive so we are an option within the community. That was the basis of this tax break, and that’s why I believe it should continue.”

Pollock was questioned by Coun. Cheryl Stadnichuk as to how he could defend continuing the tax break when golf is seen as “an elite sport.”

“I think that’s a big (misconception) and I think it needs to be one that’s absolutely cleared. We take huge pride in our membership being every-day, working citizens. We are not an elite club. We don’t claim to be an elite club. We don’t pretend to be an elite club. We are a club that wants to be open to anybody,” Pollock insisted.

He also pointed to the issue that the course is sometimes inoperable during the summer, because it’s easily flooded after heavy rain. When that happens, it requires lots of maintenance, which the club pays for itself.

After the discussion, council sided with Pollock, voting 6-5 to restore the tax exemption.