Yorktown Revokes Golf Course Redevelopment Contract

November 16, 2022 – The Town Board voted Tuesday to revoke a redevelopment contract for a municipal golf course because of nonperformance by the developer.

The Town Board’s action caps months of efforts by Town officials to motivate the developer—RC Recreation Development—to correct building code violations and open the golf course.

“The developer has vacillated from giving us four false reopening dates to claiming that our contract does not require him to give us a projected opening date. It’s clear to the Town Board that this company is an unreliable partner that is either incapable of redeveloping our golf course or unwilling to do so in a reasonable time frame,” said Supervisor Matt Slater.

Under the terms of Yorktown’s contract with RC Recreation, the Town has the right to terminate the agreement for cause. In September, the Town Board ordered RC Recreation Development to open the Town’s nine-hole Par 3 Golf Course for public use by November 15 or face termination of the company’s concession agreement.

On Tuesday, Town inspectors visited the golf course and found electrical hazards and many unresolved violations cited in July, including people illegally living in trailers, unsafe bridges, and plumbing issues. Parks Superintendent James Martorano told the Town Board that some of the recent shoddy work at the golf course included laying the sod on the golf greens before installing the irrigation system, which sits unassembled on the property.

“I don’t see this golf course opening with this group within the next two years, realistically,” said Martorano.

RC Recreation Development has repeatedly given Town officials projected opening dates since it entered into an agreement to redevelop the golf course in 2014. Most recently the company’s representatives claimed that the golf course would open on July 4.

During remarks to the Town Board, Yorktown Recreation Commission chairman Matthew Talbert called the prolonged closure of the golf course frustrating. Talbert noted the completion of significant projects in Yorktown during the closure of the golf course, including a Lowe’s shopping center.

“It’s not being managed properly, and to move forward with this group is not in the best interests of the Town. I’m sad, because I like the people that are there, it’s just that they’re not getting the job done,” said Talbert.

After hearing reports from Town inspectors and officials, the Town Board voted to rescind the contract with RC Recreation Development.

“Everybody has really tried to work with this group,” said Councilman Sergio Esposito. “It’s unfortunate that it hasn’t been reciprocated. We were all on board trying to get this group to succeed.”

Contact:  Yorktown Supervisor Matt Slater, 914-962-5722 x201 or mslater@yorktownny.org