With Roanoke facing multimillion-dollar budget shortfalls, city council decides to stop negotiations with Countryside's management company and effectively end golf at the property.  Golf at Countryside will end in March.

What do you think about it?

I think that, as always, the city has bitten off more than it can chew and is now backpedaling. They forced Meadowbrook out, bought the course and ever since then it has been going downhill. I live on Countryside Road and am extremely worried about how an overgrown golf course right out my front window will do to appraisals. Frankly, I'm sick of the city sticking it's nose where it doesn't belong, making a mess of things and then running when the getting is good. As for their quote about working with the community to determine what's best for the course, I think it's bunk, If they really wanted to work with the community they wouldn't have decided it in a closed-door meeting on Tuesday and then only let us know on Friday. This is another case of them doing what they want to do and trying to make a good show about community and government relations for the press. I agree the schools are more important right now, but if they had never gotten involved in the golf course, it would not be sitting empty and going to seed, ruining our property values.

Sincerely,

Countryside Resident For Now

Does it really matter what the citizens of Roanoke, especially those of us who live in NW Roanoke think?  City counsel, which is "supposed" to represent the people, always does what it wants anyway.  For years, the area residents have been fighting against turning the golf course into a residential development.  Yet the city has always maintained a stong desire to sell the course to developers.  This makes me wonder if the Countryside was located in a predominately white area, would te city be so quick to close the facility?  A couple of years ago I sent a letter to the city manager suggesting that the city of Roanoke and Virginia Tech become partners in the running of Countryside.  This way, the students in the horticultural department could gain experience in large grounds keeping and the course would get much needed repairs and upkeep.  This would be a benefit to both the city and Va Tech.  But I guess that made too much sense. 

City counsel says that they would like to turn the property into "small parks" and sell tracts for housing.  Let me get this straight.  There is a housing development about a half a mile down Cove Road that is in its second ownership in the last 3-4 years since it was first designated for housing.  And the property is still mainly empty with a huge mound of red dirt in the middle of the property, but yet Roanoke City wants to sell land for more housing.  Is it me?  I know I am not the only one that thinks that is just plain stupid.  But then again, this idea is coming from a group that decided to build a multi-million dollar state of the art museum tucked away in a corner, halfway hidden by a ramp, with limited parking in downtown Roanoke instead of buying the property of the defunct Johnson & Johnson lens company which closed its doors in 2005.  Better yet, they could have deemed it an eyesore and claimed eminent domain as they have done in the not too distant past.  This site would have been perfect.  It is highly visible and easily accessible from I-81 giving the museum far more visitors. 

The visibilty of Countryside from I-81 is exactly one of the reasons why the city should fix up the golf course and continue to allow it to remain open.  There was a report written about 2-3 years ago that Roanoke at that time had more hotel rooms per capita than any city in the entire United States!  This means that there is a lot of traveling to and through the city, visitors both business and pleasure making short and long term stays.  And I know that like myself, many of these travelers play the game of golf.  And due to time and the local, Countryside, which is less than 15 minutes from the majority of the hotels, could easily serve the need for these duffers.  The hotels could offer special rates for their guests to encourage them to take advantage of the course.  But instead if looking for ways to make Countryside more attractive to perspective players or establishing a 1st Tee Organization (designed to teach children of color the game of golf), the city wants to close Countryside and give the NW section and the city of Roanoke more of what it does not need.  More houses that won't sell.  Go figure.

 I live in Salem, VA.  I am very proud of that fact!  What do I think about Countryside?  Honestly........ALLOW SALEM TO ANNEX THE GOLF COURSE.  This would ensure that something productive for the entire area would become of it.  The leadership in Salem has proven time and time again that they are capable of delivering agendas that are beneficial for the entire area.  Not everyone will agree with me......but don't you think the citizens of Roanoke deserve better than what they are getting now?   Talk about an excellent location for a new stadium, entertainment venue, etc!..........close proximity to 581.     SALEM CAN GET IT DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 What will happen with the high school teams that use Countryside as their home course?  

 I totally agree with this person.  Being in the NW session and it been in a white session of the city this would not be happening.  This golf course could benefit a lot of people if the city would use it right.  I think it should remain a golf course. jcanty has said it all to me, you all need to consider his comments.

I have a great idea what to do with Country Side Golf Course, as there will be five or so public meetings soon, on the matter. Make it a GOLF COURSE!!! Roanoke, should be ashamed. The people who have seen their home values plummet, the youth, middle-aged, elderly, of Roanoke, and the entire Roanoke Valley for that matter, deserve a golf course. Everyone and anyone, who flies into our one and only Roanoke Valley airport, sees the golf course, and first impressions mean something in the marketing realm. I'm dense as a post, and I know that much about marketing the region. One would have to seriously try, to be as backward as Roanoke City Council seems to be, in this particular case. Consider the source...I have issues. Gip

I fail to see how the city can even consider running a golf course when schools are being closed, citizen services are cut back and new taxes are being added just to keep afloat. I not only say no, I say hell no. As a taxpayer, I am appalled that this use is even being considered.

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smoke:

I fail to see how the city can even consider running a golf course when schools are being closed, citizen services are cut back and new taxes are being added just to keep afloat. I not only say no, I say hell no. As a taxpayer, I am appalled that this use is even being considered.

“Hell no,”  Smoke?  I think you need to reconsider and change your foggy tune to “Heavens, yes!”  My God, man; Countryside always operated in the black.  It never was a drain on city or private owner resources.  Yet, now that it is closed,  no revenue is being generated to help retire the interest the city must pay each year on the property.  Instead, YOUR tax dollars are being used to meet that debt…YOUR TAX DOLLARS!

In addition to assisting in paying YOUR debt,  an open Countryside will provide recreational opportunities for our youth, a recreational service for an area that has been categorically IGNORED ever since they were snatched from the county in 1976, and a fulfilled promise that was often forgotten or broken. Furthermore,  a Countryside Golf Course will serve as a marquee for the entire Roanoke Valley, both from air and highway. 

Sure times are tough for public school education.  Teachers are being unfairly denouced and scape-goated, federal funds are due to dry up,  children are rudderless at home; yet, Countryside, at least, has the potential to bolster a community as opposed to draining and robbing it.

Change your tune, man. Go to the light.

PS  New taxes...the meals tax?  Really?  You're complaining about 20 cents?  What kind of meals do you eat anyway?