VIRGINIA BEACH — A training ground for young golfers owned by the city could soon be handed over to the YMCA of South Hampton Roads.
The City Council on Tuesday informally decided to transfer ownership of the First Tee – Hampton Roads property to the YMCA, which currently leases it from the city’s Development Authority and requested to take title of the land.
First Tee is located on approximately 80 acres adjacent to Virginia Beach National Golf Club, which is also owned by the city. The campus includes a 9-hole junior golf course, a clubhouse and a driving range.
YMCA began to sublease the First Tee in 1997 and could continue the arrangement until 2037 under its current contract, Deputy City Manager Amanda Jarratt told the City Council at Tuesday’s meeting.
The First Tee property has come into focus in recent months as the city is considering selling it along with Virginia Beach National to a private party.
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Vice Mayor Rosemary Wilson said the council wants to make sure the First Tee program continues.
“In everything we’ve ever said, we wanted to make sure that First Tee was held harmless,” Wilson said. “Their mission is very important to us and we wanted to make sure that that was maintained.”
Wilson and several other council members said they support gifting the land to the YMCA with the caveat that it would revert to the city if the use changed. Sale or transfer of the property will require the termination of the lease from the city to the Development Authority, and a supermajority vote by the City Council.
Several speakers who attended a council meeting Feb. 3 expressed support for keeping the golf course property as it is.
“Let’s not lose the crowned jewel and the memories we all have from VB National,” said speaker Randall Carrier.
Virginia Beach issued requests for proposals for the land last year, after receiving unsolicited ideas to redevelop part of it. A city audit previously found the course needs millions of dollars of work including roof and HVAC repairs and pond maintenance.
The city set aside $1.7 million for the first round of repairs and has spent $967,000 so far, according to Howie McEntee, an accountant with the city’s Finance Department. He presented the Development Authority’s January financial statement at the group’s meeting on Tuesday morning.
The city stipulated in its request for proposals that any sale of the VB National property would have to include keeping the lease for the First Tee in effect. Nine responses came in and have been reviewed by a committee. The City Council received a closed-door briefing on the list, Jarratt said. A public presentation on the proposals has not been held yet.
“It’s a public investment into the extraordinary work that’s happening there,” Councilman Michael Berlucchi said Tuesday. “Long term investment to what I think has become an essential community and civic partner.”
Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com
