By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 22, 2011

Updated: 47 min. ago

CLEARWATER – The Pinellas County Commission is expected to decide this morning whether to shut down the Airco Golf Course, an 18-hole public facility next to the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport.

County Administrator Robert LaSala is recommending the board shut down the course as of May 16 because it has been losing money, according to a memorandum LaSala wrote the board.

The golf course opened in 1961 and was privately operated through a lease with the county. When the lease ended in 2001, it was agreed the county would operate the course on an interim basis while officials figured out the best use of the land as it related to the airport.

A study was conducted, and the board heard the results in 2008.

Airport director Noah Lagos told the board that, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, revenues from the operation of the airport could not be diverted to support a public golf course.

That meant the golf course had to be financially self-sustaining, which hasn’t been the case. According to LaSala’s memorandum to the commission, fewer rounds of golf have been played at Airco with each succeeding year.

From fiscal 2002 through fiscal 2007, Airco averaged about 44,000 rounds of golf a year. In fiscal 2008, a decline began, with 42,470 rounds played. In 2009, 36,040 rounds were played. In fiscal 2010, Airco had 28,761 rounds played.

As a result, less money has been made. In fiscal 2008, there was net income of only $611, LaSala’s memorandum said. In 2009, Airco experienced an operating loss of $133,957, and in fiscal 2010, $216,955.

From July 2001 to September 2010, Airco has lost $572,417, his memorandum said.

“Significant reductions have been made to operating expenses over the past three years, but the loss of round play could not be overcome,” LaSala wrote.

“During the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, Airco lost $81,089,” the county administrator wrote. “It is anticipated that if Airco were to continue to remain open for the remainder of the fiscal year, the loss could once again reach or exceed $100,000.

“However, by terminating its operation on May 16, 2011, at the completion of the normally busy spring season, the golf course is projected to lose $10,000 to $15,000,” LaSala wrote.

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