Mundelein High officials want to sell golf course

It's not the usual impulse buy.

But if you're in the mood to buy a golf course, Mundelein High School officials have one for you.

The District 120 board has decided to invite purchase offers for the Village Green Golf Club, which is on Midlothian Road at Winchester Road.

Ideally, officials would want to sell most of the 91-acre site, keeping between 10 and 15 acres for possible future school needs, school spokesman Ron Girard said.

If the school district keeps such a sizable chunk of the land, the course would have to close, Girard said.

Administrators will accept bids and hold a public auction if there's enough interest, Girard said.

No timeline has been set.

"It depends on the type of interest that is generated," Girard said.

Mundelein High officials bought the course in 2004, intending to use the land for a second building or athletic fields as enrollment rose. It's a short drive from the school, which is on Hawley Street at Midlothian Road.

But the student population didn't increase as projected, so golfers have been able to continue to play the course.

Village Green is operated by a private company that gives the district a percentage of revenue, at least $50,000 annually. That contract expires in 2016.

Officials paid $8.4 million for the land, securing a loan for the deal. About $5.2 million in debt remains.

Officials hope to recoup what they paid for the property if they sell the course, Girard said.