Waukesha County Misleads Residents on Potential Wanaki Closure

By Tom Schellinger, County Supervisor, District 20

More than 400 people attended a recent public hearing on the potential closure of Wanaki Golf Course, a drastic and shortsighted proposal contained in the Waukesha County Executive’s 2020 budget.

Dozens spoke about what the golf course means to them. Many offered ingenious ideas to keep it open. Others just asked for a one-year reprieve to explore all options.

Left unasked was this question: How many people didn’t show up at the hearing … because they believed a decision to close Wanaki had already been made?

It’s understandable, given deceptive public statements from the County Executive and his administration. Make no mistake: They have attempted to mislead the public on the Wanaki situation.

Need evidence? For starters, consider a July 18 press release from the County Executive’s office headlined “Wanaki Golf Course to Close After 2019 Season.”

Sounds pretty conclusive, right?

Let’s make something clear: NO DECISION has been made on closing Wanaki. The County Executive merely proposed the closure in his 2020 budget. The County Board is reviewing the budget, and can offer its own changes.

To repeat: NO DECISION has been made.

You wouldn’t know this, though, by official statements from the County Executive and the Parks and Land Use Department, which oversees Wanaki. Both have unequivocally stated that Wanaki will close.

• The County Executive’s July 18 press release never once mentions the legislative process involved in actually deciding whether Wanaki will close, nor invites public participation in the debate.
• A four-paragraph public statement on the county web site from Dale Shaver, Director of the Department of Parks and Land Use, is headlined “Wanaki Golf Course to close following 2019 season.” NOWHERE does it state that the closure is a proposal that has yet to be approved.
• A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page on the county web site opens with these questions: “Why is Wanaki Golf Course closing?” and “When will Wanaki Golf Course close?” Not until the fourth FAQ is an admission made that the decision is not final – and then only one sentence is devoted to the decision-making process.

These types of arrogant, misleading statements are a slap in the face to the 400+ attendees at the Sept. 25 public hearing, the 25 County Board members still analyzing the proposed 2020 budget, and the public at large.

Waukesha County residents deserve better. Wanaki Golf Course has drawn generations of golfers over its 49 years. It hosts multiple leagues, both adult and youth.

Yes, the course faces challenges. An estimated $645,000 in maintenance is needed. Revenues have fallen as fewer rounds are played, following a national trend.

Yet, the public has voiced support for finding a way to keep Wanaki open. Many speakers at the Sept. 25 hearing volunteered to serve on a fact-finding task force. Some flat out offered to pay more for golf.

Shouldn’t we partner with those who want to help … instead of trying to quash any quest to find an alternative to closing Wanaki?

Make your opinions known. Call, e-mail or write your County Board representative. Don’t stop there. Every supervisor has a vote. Go to www.waukeshacounty.gov/county-board for their contact information.

Wanaki is a public golf course. The debate over its potential closure deserves a full airing, with the public playing a significant role. You deserve the truth … and you deserve to be heard.

(Tom Schellinger has represented District 20, covering parts of Brookfield and New Berlin, on the Waukesha County Board since 2006. He serves on its Land Use, Parks and Environment Committee, and the Public Works Committee).