TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Pinellas Audit: Airport's Course A Danger To Golfers

ADVERTISEMENT

By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 20, 2008

CLEARWATER - A Pinellas County audit shows the Airco public golf course next to the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is so mismanaged, with essential repairs repeatedly delayed, that golfers themselves might be in danger.

"Airco's deferred maintenance, repairs and cost savings program has placed county staff and Airco customers at risk due to potential safety and health concerns," according to the audit, which was conducted by the Internal Audit Division within the office of the clerk of the circuit court and released on Wednesday.

Among other criticisms, the audit says the golf course, which is managed by the airport, has no maintenance schedule for either the grounds or the facilities. The snack building was leaking so severely it had to be closed with the exception of the bathrooms, and the bathrooms had holes that appeared to be the result of punches, the audit says.

Also, the county is unable to get a clear picture of the golf course's finances, the audit says. Although the golf course reported profits totaling $208,000 for the four fiscal years from 2004 to 2007, the airport subsequently allocated some of its internal costs to the golf course and, as a result, the golf course then showed a loss, the audit says

A series of recommendations have been made to the airport. However, the Internal Audit Division believes the county's Culture, Education and Leisure department or parks department should be the entity operating the golf course.

The airport maintains it should continue operating the airport, said Bob Melton, director of the Internal Audit Division.

A decision as to which county department should run the golf course has not been made, Melton said.

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT