OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – This city owned golf course in Oshkosh, could become the new home for a large employer in the area, but not everyone likes the idea.
The debate went before the Oshkosh City Council on Tuesday.
At center stage….Lake Shore Golf Course. The city has said it just breaks even on the property and Oshkosh Corporation has been considering building its new headquarters there.
Lake Shore Golf Course brings out the passion of people in Oshkosh.
Rob Hartley spoke to FOX 11. He lives near the course and started a petition to try to save it.
“But it’s a park! We have to look at it again as a park and parks should be sacred.”
But others say told us city needs to do whatever it can to keep Oshkosh Corporation’s corporate headquarters in the city.
“The impact that Oshkosh Corp has on our community is tremendous. I mean, it goes beyond workers’ salary, acreage, it goes to groups that they donate to,” said Jon Doemel.
Before the meeting Hartley, and a group of people who oppose the sale of a golf course without a referendum, gathered for a rally to share their thoughts.
“The people here and the signatures that I have almost 600 signatures have said, and it says this right here on the form, we should have a city-wide referendum whenever a park is up for sale.”
City Manager Mark Rohloff says, at this point, Oshkosh Corporation is just considering the golf course location.
“We don’t have any indication from Oshkosh Corporation at this point whether we’re going to be considered or not.”
A spokesperson for the company say they’re evaluating several locations, out of Oshkosh.
A few dozen people on both sides of the issue spoke to council Tuesday.
Another concern of Hartley’s is that Oshkosh Corp would only buy 30-some acres for its headquarters.
“70 out of the 107 acres are sitting in limbo and should the city council be making a decision before they decide what to do with it ?”
As far as the potential sale goes, Rohloff said he hopes to have a plan to the council by November first. He is also planning public input sessions to discuss what to do with the other 70 acres.
“And I think the public needs to see what possibilities might be out there.”
Both sides of the issue said this is a difficult decision. Doemel says he can definitely see both arguments.
“It’s a tough call. It’s not easy for me to be out here and speaking for this, but I really believe keeping Oshkosh Corp here is that important.”
The first meeting for public input is next week, Thursday, October 5th. The location is still being decided, but it will be at 6:30 p.m.
