Should the Park District Bring a Hotel to Arrowhead Golf Club?

The Wheaton Park District Board of Commissioners on Wednesday will consider a proposal to open a hotel at Arrowhead Golf Club.

The board in December 2011 renewed a letter of commitment with Fairway Suites, a Kansas City-based developer of hotels on golf courses.

The letter, originally approved July 20, 2011, allows Fairway to represent the park district while marketing a 50-year lease on the property to hotel brands including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, International Hotels, Choice Hotels and LaQuinta, to open an extended-stay hotel at the property on Butterfield Road.

According to a report submitted to the park district by Fairway, the hotel would have approximately 120 suites. Assuming the hotel operates at 70 percent occupancy, the hotel would generate 45,000 guests per year, the report states.

The board will discuss the idea and give staff their approval or rejection of the general concept of a hotel at Arrowhead. The board could vote to direct staff and legal counsel to complete a ground lease for a future hotel site at Arrowhead.

Patch readers responded to the proposal in December and in July. Here is what they had to say:

• Phyllis Wolf said, "Please ask the taxpayers before you move forward with this project and you will hear... NO NO NO"
• Roger said, "Even aside from basic questions on the viability of a hotel, the development of for-profit businesses by governmental units is a potential powder keg for abuse and corruption. Providing recreational opportunities for the community should continue to be the focus, not competing with area businesses."
• Louise said, "I think a hotel near Arrowhead would be great. But I also think that it should be on privately purchased land, privately own and privately operated. Does the PD really have that much unused land at Arrowhead? Sell it to the highest bidder! I'm sure if a hotel is a good idea for that location, there will be other interested parties."
• Brent said, "Once again the Park District has initiated an action with little or no public notification or involvement. Have independent market studies been undertaken for this hotel concept? Has anyone noticed the high percentage of empty parking spaces at new hotel/suites in the nearby Canterra development? Exactly what are the terms of the agreement for construction and on-going maintenance and operation of such a facility and what is the expected fiscal impact to the taxpayers within the District?"

Related:

• Park District Exploring Idea for Hotel at Arrowhead
• Park District Commits to Bring Hotel to Arrowhead

The Wheaton Park District Board of Commissioners meets 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24 at Wheaton City Hall, 303 Wesley St., Wheaton.

Do you think it's a good idea? Tell us in the comments.