The Town of Great Falls and Republic Golf Club have extended a lease agreement on the golf course property on which Republic operates.
The News & Reporter obtained the lease agreement through a Freedom on Information Act request.
The lease entitles Republic to use “that certain tract of land in the…containing 82 acres, more or less, with any and all improvements thereon, being known as the Golf Course Property, conveyed to Lessor (the Town) by J.P. Stevens and Company.”
The lease runs for a period of five years and will be renewable for another five years based on the financial status/membership of the Republic Golf Course at the end of the original five-year term. The Town reserves the right to request an annual financial statement from the Republic Golf Club.
The annual cost of the lease is $1.00 per year, with Republic being responsible for the maintenance, costs and improvements to the premises.
Per the lease, the Town may hold an annual golf tournament at the course for the Town’s recreation department and proceeds from the tournament “shall be applied to the recreation department budget.”
Republic agrees to maintain and “keep in repair” the clubhouse and golf course equipment and implements “and that same shall be the property of the lessee and, upon the termination of this lease, may be removed from the leased premises provided same is accomplished without damage to the leased premises.”
The Town agrees as part of the lease that as long as Republic continues to function as an active golf club and complies with the terms of the lease, the Town intends to renew the lease in the future.
“The intent of the lease being that the Town of Great Falls desires that the Golf Course property shall operate as an active Golf Course. In the event that said Republic Golf Club becomes inactive or ceases to function as an active golf club for a period of six months…then the lease shall terminate,” the lease says.
If that happens, the Town will seek whatever assistance it deems necessary and appropriate to maintain the existence of a golf course for the citizens of Great Falls.
Republic agrees to hold the Town harmless from all claims, suits or causes of action and Republic agrees to carry $500,000 in liability insurance as part of the lease. If any building, improvements or equipment are destroyed by fire or other disaster, Republic will replace them at their expense.
The lease was approved by a unanimous vote of Great Falls Town Council at its last meeting.
