More than 30 community and stakeholder groups are expected at a public information meeting tonight regarding the Village of Woodridge's plans to hire a consultant to evaluate land use options for the Village Greens of Woodridge golf course.

A committee was formed to oppose this evaluation after a statement was released by the village last month announcing its plans for the process.

"After 30 years, the Village Greens golf course is in need of several improvements including a new irrigation system and maintenance facility," said Village Administrator Kathleen Rush in a media announcement about the plans last month. “We want to ensure that, prior to making a significant investment in the golf course, the Village Board has sufficient data and an opportunity to weigh options and input received from the community,”

The results of the consultant's evaluation would be considered before golf course improvements would be included in the upcoming five year capital financial plan that is part of the Village’s budget, according to the announcement.

"As golf revenues have declined, less money has been available to fund needed capital improvements," said Rush during a village board meeting on September 13. "[The] Village Greens has now reached a point at which capital needs can no longer be put off, and it is important for the community to understand the scope of potential reinvestment options."

Rush said that that is the reason the village is collecting data on necessary golf course improvements and golf industry trends.

Residents packed the village board meeting on September 13 to voice their objections against the hiring of a consultant and express their desire that the golf course be maintained as an 18-hole golf course.

"The Village and Park District already have qualified staff under contract, who can collect the data needed for a report that estimates future golf industry trends, the capital needs of Village Greens Golf Course, along with possible financing alternatives," said William Dooley, a Woodridge resident and member of the "Keep the Village Green" committee.

Rob Weiss, another member of the committee, said members are especially concerned that it appears the study is being done to consider reducing the Village Greens to a nine-hole golf course and potential commercial development.

"The 'Keep the Village Green Committee' has created a campaign to challenge any recommendation to eliminate or redevelop any part of the golf course," said Weiss. "We have collected 1,000 signatures of residents and patrons of the golf course that oppose this study and any recommendations to a commercial development on the property."

Since the meeting, members of the Keep the Village Green Committee have taken their concerns to the media. One member, Mike Huber, has published editorials on Patch, asking the village why it plans to waste taxpayers' money on a consultant and reminding the village of its commitment to preserving open space in Woodridge.

"We don’t think it’s unreasonable to be included in the process now, instead of being excluded until after a consultant is hired," said Huber in his latest letter to the editor on Woodridge Patch.

Huber's most recent letter prompted the village Thursday to release a statement of its own in response, which drew criticism from supporters of the KVGC.

Tonight's meeting is the first of several planned in order to garner support for the committee's efforts to maintain the golf course as it is.

The meeting is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. tonight in the Bunkers Grill Room of the Village Greens of Woodridge. Those interested in attending can view the meeting's agenda by clicking on the pdf attached to this article.

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