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Dues go up by $200 for Mount Brenton Members for the 2023 Season.

Your Board of Directors is developing a Budget for 2023 and a forecast for strategic planning and spending over the next five years.
There are three projects requiring attention now and over the next couple of years, that must be implemented to keep the course operating effectively. We need to replace aging infrastructure – the irrigation system, and the septic system, along with completing the clubhouse washroom renovations.
These projects alone are estimated to cost $320,000 in 2023 and 2024. For 2023, we forecast a shortfall of over $200,000 to meet our strategic plan spending estimate. This shortfall is forecast to occur even with our increase in dues for 2023.
Other projects such as replacing grounds equipment and clubhouse renovations can be deferred, but eventually must be dealt with.
The club needs to continue to find ways to generate additional revenue to cover our capital plans or the club facilities will deteriorate and become unmanageable.
One way to increase revenue – besides dues – is to increase the number of tee times per hour/day by going to an eight-minute interval from the current nine minutes. This will allow for more member playing times, but more importantly, in a financial sense, the extra times will allow for more green fee times which means increased revenue.
Visitor revenue generates almost 50% of our total annual revenue, and without this money, member dues would need to double just to cover our operating costs.
Like all businesses, we are trying to balance revenues and expenses while offering the best product possible to our members and the public. In addition to replacing aging infrastructure, we are facing high inflation rates which drive up the cost of materials such as fertilizers, fuel, and aggregates.
To cover the increased operating costs and the projects in the strategic plan, the base rate for a regular-full member will increase by $200 to $1850 (+GST) in 2023. Our other member categories will rise in accordance with the established percentage scale for each.
Our entry fee will remain at $1000 with a 50% reduction for spouses.
Cart storage will be $400 (+GST), and trail fees only $200 (+GST).
Members who bring their carts to the course each time they play pay the trail fee for the privilege of riding, but not storing their carts.
The Board will wait to see what other clubs are charging for 2023 green fees before deciding about our rates.
Budget highlights will be available in early January when the budget is finalized.
With these dues increases, Mount Brenton Golf Course still offers the best value for a golf experience in the Cowichan Valley.
Thank you.
Tom Andrews
President
MBGC – Vancouver Island’s Hidden Gem