PRIVATIZING PARK PROGRAM

The State Park Service has asked private companies to make proposals for taking over operation of the golf course and clubhouse at Cheraw State Park, much to the chagrin of local leaders.

It’s the latest move in an ongoing privatization effort in the state parks. The S.C. Budget and Control Board this month approved turning over operation of the tackle shop at Santee State Park to a private company. Next on the list is the golf course at Cheraw.

The State Park Service says letting private businesses take over stores and golf courses will allow its staff to focus on its core mission of conservation, protection and interpretation of natural and cultural resources.

Opponents worry that privatization will take away jobs in depressed areas and make park visits less affordable.

Cheraw State Park’s golf course “is a shining example of how our state government improves a region of the state and actually can turn a profit,” said Rep. Doug Jennings (D-Bennettsville), who represents a portion of Chesterfield County.

He is upset that the agency started down the privatization road at Cheraw without informing local leaders or seeking input. “We heard after they had made their minds up,” Jennings said.

The S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism has asked for proposals from private companies to operate the golf course and its clubhouse, said Phil Gaines, assistant director of state parks. The rest of the park will be maintained as it is today.

“We want to make sure the state parks do what state parks are supposed to do,” Gaines said.

Private businesses have more experience running retail stores and golf courses. The state already is in the process of centralizing its cabin and campground reservation system with a private company.

The Chesterfield County legislative delegation wrote a letter to Gov. Mark Sanford last February imploring him not to allow the privatization of the golf course.

“Rest assured that we will be monitoring this issue closely and that we will be outspoken in our opposition to this idea, which we believe is a bad one for not only Chesterfield County, but more particularly, for the entire state,” the letter stated.

Sanford, in his budget proposal last year, suggested the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism consider privatization of the golf courses at Cheraw and Hickory Knob state parks. While Cheraw’s golf course has made a slight profit in recent years, Hickory Knob’s golf course and lodge ran a $554,000 deficit in fiscal year 2002-03.

Phil Powell, director of parks for the town of Cheraw, said it’s not simply a matter of whether a business could run the golf course more efficiently. The state park staff has worked with public employees at the nearby Sand Hills National Wildlife Refuge, Sand Hills State Forest Field Trial Area and the town of Cheraw to create an outdoor recreation cluster.

“Coordination and sharing limited resources have been the hallmark of our success,” Powell said. “Will a for-profit sub-contractor have the same commitment?”

Powell worries that a private operator will try to turn Cheraw’s course into an upscale operation that competes with courses in Pinehurst, N.C. That could put play on the course out of the price range of many locals.

Gaines said the lease agreement would allow the park service some oversight of the golf course operation. The agency wouldn’t allow the operators to take steps to harm the park, he said.

At Santee State Park, Fisheagle Tours will take over operation of the tackle shop in January. Fisheagle, which has run fishing tour boats out of the park for years, has estimated its lease payments and a percentage of revenues will generate $22,000 to $26,000 per year for the park over the next 10 years. Currently, the tackle shop breaks even or makes a slight profit, Gaines said.

While private operators can hire employees who now work at the park operations, those employees would lose state benefits. Gaines said the agency would try to find jobs in the park system for employees who lose jobs in privatization.

Proposals for running the Cheraw golf course will be considered in the next month. If a proposal meets the agency’s guidelines, it could be presented to the Budget and Control Board for approval by spring.

If no proposals meet the requirements, the agency will keep running the course, Gaines said.

Reach Holleman at (803) 771-8366 or jholleman@thestate.com.