Fort Sheridan golf course nixed - for now

Golfers will have to wait substantially longer for a tee time at a new Lake County Forest Preserve District course proposed for Fort Sheridan - if any are ever made available.

Commissioners on Thursday overwhelmingly decided to stop the process that would have produced specifications for bids to build an upscale course as originally planned in 2003, or a more modest layout.

In essence, the forest board in separate 19-2 votes rejected moving ahead with a golf course at Fort Sheridan.

Instead, board President Bonnie Thomson Carter said she will introduce in July the mechanisms to establish a new planning committee to span all interests with input from Highland Park, Highwood, Lake Forest and others.

"It no longer makes sense," she said after two hours of board discussion on the issue. "Conditions are different, facts are different, I think it's a good time we stop this train wreck."

The votes specifically were against two contracts for architectural, engineering and construction management services to prepare documents for two course designs.

The upscale course contract was for $248,000. The "value" design was for $265,500.

Comments by board members prior to the vote included the outstanding nature of the site along Lake Michigan.

"It's an opportunity that's unique," board member Steve Carlson said before the vote. "It would be a shame to make that a golf course and only have golfers appreciate it."

Commissioner Audrey Nixon, who voted for both measures, said the district has an obligation to proceed.

"We don't have to build a premier golf course," she said. "In fairness to everybody in Lake County, I feel we should still build a golf course."

The district's 2003 master plan for Fort Sheridan included a high-end course, but cost estimates to build it were millions more than expected.

Since then, the golf industry has taken a downturn. Some commissioners contend the local market for golf is saturated and won't return to previous levels.

As forest preserve facilities, golf courses are expected to pay for themselves. Whether a high-end or a middle-of-the-road course could do that is in doubt.

The reasoning was the district would have to charge too much to make a nicer course work, and it would also hurt itself by taking players away from its Thunderhawk course in Beach Park. A middle-of-the-road course wouldn't generate enough interest or revenue.

Carter read several letters, including one signed by the mayors of Highland Park, Lake Forest and Highwood, and local officials also spoke before the votes. All called for a new planning process.

"Our goal here is really to take what is a uniquely special piece of property that we're only going to have one chance to develop and make sure we do it right," said Lake Forest City Manager Bob Kiely.

Whether that will include a golf course is to be determined.

That becomes an issue because of restrictions included in three property deeds the district received from the U.S. Army between 1999 and 2001.

That restriction says, in part, there "shall be a golf course and recreational open space in perpetuity and not devoted to another use." The Army had established a golf course there in the 1960s, but it has been torn up as the land has been reshaped.

"It is a fresh look," Highland Park Mayor Michael Belsky said after the meeting. "We're trying to help them fulfill their obligation and their obligation was to build a golf course there."

Tom Hahn, the forest district executive director, said the Army should be part of the new planning group.

"Any option that is going to be considered seriously that doesn't include a golf course would have to include conversations with the Army concerning the deed restriction," he said.