Clapp Golf Course clubhouse lease scrutinized at Wichita City Council meeting

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – There is controversy at Clapp Park over a contract with a disc golf company that leases the clubhouse at the course. It was the focus of a nearly one-hour discussion during Tuesday’s Wichita City Council meeting.

Duck’s Flying Discs signed the lease in 2021, but before it did, the city did not solicit proposals from other people or businesses interested in the space.

“I understand the rush decision to try to activate the space back then, and I appreciate that there was a pilot program, but I think it’s prudent if we’re doing an RFP process for the Central Library that’s one of our spaces we should do the same thing for other facilities that the city invests in so that people have the opportunity, and I think the best idea will win at the end of the day,” Mayor Lily Wu said.

The Wichita Park and Recreation director defended the decision not to have an RFP, saying that running the clubhouse is a niche service, and they needed someone there as soon as possible.

“The value of having the restrooms cleaned and taken care of, the value of the extra work they’re doing throughout the rest of the park, the value of the expertise in regards to disc golf and working with our customers,” Troy Houtman, Wichita Park and Recreation director, said.

Also, the amount of rent the business paid to the city was scrutinized. Mayor Wu is concerned that the original deal was for $300, with yearly increases. Ducks says it is still paying $300.

“I am very concerned that the price that we say an individual is paying is different than what a contract says,” Wu said.

She added that she wanted City Manager Bob Layton to look into who should be held accountable for the amount of rent collected.

“It is not the fault of the tenant. We need someone to be held accountable for that action that has not taken place for the last two years plus,” Wu added.

The council voted 5-2 to renew the lease for a year with a proper rental rate of $659 a month. It will go out for RFP for subsequent years. Mayor Wu and Council member Dalton Glasscock were the only ones who voted no.

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