Santa Ana weighs taking over Riverview Golf Course as current lease ends in April

City staff told the council that the Riverview Golf Course lease expires in April 2026 and the current operator said it did not want to continue under present terms. Staff recommended the city operate the course in the short term and pursue a contract management company through a piggybacked RFP process to modernize facilities, address resident complaints (including netting near nearby homes) and capture more of existing revenue.

Assistant city manager said the city currently receives roughly $150,000–$158,000 annually from the lease, while the operator’s gross revenue was estimated at $3–4 million. Staff said a management model used by other California cities could preserve course operations, fund modest improvements over time, and allow the city to explore event rentals, wedding bookings and range enhancements as revenue diversifiers. The goal is to present a recommendation at the March council meeting and to have a transition plan in place for the city or a management company to operate by May 1.

Several council members emphasized protecting surrounding residents (raising nets where needed) and asked that staffing impacts be part of the contract discussion; a council member requested the council consider absorbing existing course employees where feasible. The city attorney said legal review and contract drafting are underway and will be vetted with staff before returning to council.

What comes next: staff will bring options to the March 3 meeting, including a management contract model and transition plan; until then the course will remain open and staff said they expect to avoid service interruption.