Watertown golf course lease proposal adds option for three renewals
A proposal to lease and operate Watertown's Thompson Park Golf Course would begin with one season in 2027 and include options for up to three additional seasons.
By Jessica Hale, ClickNNY North Country Desk
The City of Watertown is considering a revised proposal to lease and operate the 18-hole Thompson Park Golf Course and clubhouse. The proposal would begin with a one-year lease on April 1, 2027, and include an option to renew for up to three additional seasons.
The proposal was submitted by Andrea Doane, who previously operated Rustic Golf and Country Club on Pillar Point. The Watertown City Council voted Oct. 20 to begin negotiations with Doane. City staff must review the revised proposal, followed by additional meetings and possible changes before the council decides whether to move forward.
The city issued RFP 2026-11 seeking proposals to lease and operate the course and clubhouse. Sealed proposals were due Oct. 13, 2026. The council's Oct. 19 agenda included a resolution authorizing lease negotiations and a separate home-rule request asking the state Legislature to allow the city to lease land at the course.
Doane has said she prefers a five-year lease because she does not want to invest about $250,000 in golf carts for only one year. The revised proposal retains the one-season base term while adding the renewal option. She has also indicated she may agree to a longer initial lease if that becomes a requirement, though negotiations are continuing.
The city bought the former Watertown Golf Club for $3.4 million in January 2023. Reported operating losses were $306,590 in 2023, $316,969 in 2024 and $87,085 in 2025. Leasing the course to a private operator has been considered as a way to potentially reduce the city's financial risk.
The original proposal called for monthly payments of $3,000 from April through October, with access to the course beginning March 1, 2027. It included equipment and carts and required the operator to obtain permits and licenses, including a liquor license. The proposal was submitted under Jefferson County Business Services Inc.
The course is located in Thompson Park and serves golfers in Watertown and the surrounding North Country. The city's RFP information and bids page provide public information about the leasing process. Further meetings and proposal revisions are expected before the council considers whether to approve an agreement.
Reported by ClickNNY and reviewed by an editor before publication.
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