Mundelein school officials extend golf course lease

Without a pressing need for a second campus, Mundelein High School officials have extended the operating lease for a golf course they own in town.

The District 120 school board on Tuesday unanimously agreed to prolong its arrangement with Golf Visions Management Corp., the West suburban Northlake firm that's been running the Village Green Country Club since 2007.

The deal signed that year wasn't to expire until 2013, but Golf Visions officials asked for an extension because they're considering improvements to the facility and want to recoup their investment, Mundelein High Superintendent Jody Ware said.

The school district agreed to buy the 92-acre public club, which is on the southeast corner of Midlothian and Winchester roads, for $8.4 million in 2004. At the time, it was eyed as space for a second school building or additional athletic fields, but enrollment no longer is rising at Mundelein High.

District 120 trustees inked the initial deal with Golf Visions because they didn't want to be in the golf business. They've been happy with the arrangement.

"Golf Visions is doing a wonderful job over there," school board President Edwin Specht said. "It's a win for everybody."

Under the newly approved extension, Golf Visions will pay the district 5 percent of its gross annual revenue at the course, with a minimum annual payment of $50,000.

Additionally, the company helps pay the real-estate taxes on the property.

"It's a great partnership," Ware said.

Although District 120 doesn't need a second high school building now, the property remains strategically valuable.

"It allows the district to maintain options for the future," Specht said.