Thunder Bay to close Municipal Golf Course

Thunder Bays Municipal Golf Course will close this fall after councillors voted Monday night to shut down the nine-hole course to save money.

Andrew Foulds voted against the closure because he said it represents a gradual erosion of city services.

"Tonight, we're talking about golf. Next week we're going to be talking about bike lanes," Foulds said. "In the future, we're going to be talking about the conservatory. I'm really concerned about where we're heading."

The majority of councillors wanted to reduce the city's expenses, including Rebecca Johnson, who said the city can't afford to pay for non-essential services.

"We have to really figure out how we're going to manage all of the things we really want to keep in the community because ladies and gentlemen we can't do it anymore," Johnson said.

Johnson said she'll ask council before the next budget to consider shutting down both Chapples and Strathcona courses.

City staff will report to council in September on the best way to close Municipal at the end of the 2012 golf season.