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South Bend Redevelopment Commission <br />Regular Meeting -November 20, 2009 <br />Based on this review it was apparent that <br />several of the proposing companies had the <br />potential to effectively manage the golf <br />course. The three companies with the most <br />potential were selected for an interview. The <br />intewiews were conducted 1 1/ 1 1 by a team <br />composed of Dave Varner and Greg Downes <br />from the Redevelopment Commission, John <br />Schalliol representing the Airport Authol-ity <br />and Don Inks, Redevelopment Director. <br />The three companies interviewed included <br />Meadowbrook Golf, Kemper Spo~~s and <br />Kitson & Partners Club Services. After the <br />interviews, it was concluded that all three <br />had the ability to manage Blackthorn, and all <br />three were proposing the same management <br />fee of $96,000 per year. However, Kitson <br />included a Strategic Planning service as a <br />part of their proposal for an additional fee. <br />This Strategic Plan would include a market <br />assessment, identification and evaluation of <br />alternatives, prioritize options and make a <br />final recommendation. <br />The golf industry as a whole is suffering <br />from oversupply, and the local market is no <br />exception. This situation is expected to <br />continue, so it does not appear that more than <br />mar;~inal improvement in Blackthorn's <br />financial performance can be anticipated. <br />And. given recent concerns about the future <br />of Blackthorn Golf Course, raised by the <br />Redevelopment Commission and the public, <br />Kitson~s Strategic Planning component was <br />well timed and well received. The cost of <br />this plan would be S 10,000. <br />The Interview Team recommends the <br />Commission accept the proposal of Kitson & <br />Partners Club Services, including the <br />6 <br />