Stop the sham: Palmer’s golf course Is compliant and profitable

In regard to the Palmer Golf Course, residents and community council members are being sold a false choice: either privatize the course under a $700,000/year lease or shut it down for "non-compliance." This is bureaucratic sleight of hand. The City of Palmer and our community are now at risk of losing the golf course, one of our city’s best assets.

The supposed “compliance” crisis appears manufactured. The City of Palmer received authorization from the FAA to operate the golf course on airport land for a nominal fee. This agreement has long benefited the City and its residents because it operates the golf course at a low cost with a strong profit to the City. This arrangement has been successful for 35 years without issue. Where is the evidence that we have a problem now? It’s not printed in council meeting packets nor described in airport advisory committee notes. It’s not documented anywhere; and that’s a problem.

The Palmer City Manager is treating our profitable municipal golf course like an undesirable tenant. FAA rules explicitly allow cities to maintain community land use agreements if the land is not currently needed for aviation. And by the City's own admission in July 2025, there are "no plans to extend the runway." If the airport doesn't need the land today, we don't need to evict the golfers tomorrow.

Crucially, maintaining the same agreement between the City and the golf course management means the City continues to make money. Under the current management contract, the golf course generates revenue that flows directly to the City. This system works. In contrast, a major contract overhaul may bankrupt the operator, ward off other potential operators, and close the course for good. A closed course pays zero rent and generates zero revenue, leaving the taxpayers to foot the bill for maintenance and security on vacant land. The airport already loses money; we don’t need another property to drain City resources.

Why choose zero revenue and a blighted property over a steady income stream and a thriving community asset?

The City Council has a simple job on December 16: Extend the current contract for one year and instruct the City Manager to work with the golf course management, airport director, and the FAA to maintain current land use agreements. Keeping the course open is not only the fiscally responsible choice but allows the golf course to continue to be a community asset, a green space that provides recreation and connection for those who call Palmer and the greater Matanuska Valley home.

Authors: Alaska Golf Association, Christy Ante, Dean Beaulieu, Anna Dickason, Dave Dickason, Michael Grimes, Pamela Grimes, Chris Sant, Joel Stefanski, Mindy Stefanski, Jenn Kelly, Bruce Kelly, Bob Pence, Carla Pence, Michelle Grimes, Jeremy Grimes, Randy Luffberry, Dianna Luffberry, Tom Deland, Steve Rinker, Tracy Francis, Michael Borgford, Melinda Kolivosky, Kelly Selmer, and Tom Selmer.