Community Corner

Normandy Oaks: To Sell or Not to Sell

"The 'never sell any green space no matter what crowd' are sadly missing what could be a much better bigger picture for Royal Oak." - Clyde Esbri, Royal Oak

The following letter was sent to Patch by Clyde Esbri of Royal Oak.

I've been watching with great interest the debate as to whether or not Royal Oak should consider selling Normandy Oaks Golf Course.

[Read: Fate of Normandy Oaks Golf Course Discussed: Close It? Sell It?]

The "Never sell any green space no matter what crowd" are sadly missing what could be a much better bigger picture for Royal Oak. I believe, if done correctly, selling Normandy Oaks could be one of the best moves this city commission could make.

I do not care whether or not golf is or isn't a dying sport. I do care however, what type of amenities will be used by the largest amount of Royal Oak residents. I took a quick on line-glance at Troy's Civic Center and I see they offer at their facility - a 7,500 square foot fitness center, two gyms, indoor aquatics, four studios for dance, yoga etc, locker rooms, child care, a game room and that is just the indoor portion. Outside they offer jogging/walking paths, skate park, shuffleboard, a playground and a picnic shelter.

I'm sure I've missed a few things as well.

My point is, I don't need a survey to tell me that far more residents will collectively use all of these types of amenities than those residents who use a not-so-great golf course. I submit that if selling Normandy Oaks and dedicating those funds ($14-18 million dollars per City Manager Johnson) can lead can lead to Royal Oak re-imagining its central park to include an amenity filled civic center/splash park for all to use, while at the same time reinvigorating many of Royal Oak's remaining parks, then we ought to explore it.

Clyde Esbri
Royal Oak


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