Huge loss for area

THE ISSUE

The 157 acres that make up Florence Golf and Country Club are for sale and potential buyers have ideas that range from turning it into a landfill to building a residential community to using it for an expanded University of North Alabama campus.

The possible sale of Florence Golf and Country Club is a sad issue for members and a huge loss to the entire community, according to a longtime club member.

The member, Norman Ross, who is part of the committee appointed to find a buyer for the club's property, is correct in his assessment.

But while the loss is sad, it is also an opportunity.

It is an opportunity to turn 157 acres of beautiful property along Cypress Creek into something special or an opportunity to make a mistake, ruin the landscape and potentially harm the environment.

Three groups have shown an interest in the property.

The city of Florence wants to use the land to expand its landfill on Alabama 20. The University of North Alabama is interested in the property for its campus. And William Keelon, who owns an assisted living community in Lawrenceburg, Tenn., is considering a retirement community, possibly incorporating at least part of the present golf course.

First, the landfill. The city of Florence is wise to plan for the future. With the existing landfill adjacent to the club, the land purchase sounds like a logical course to take. But upon closer examination, that logic may fall apart.

The tragic loss of the country club would pale in comparison to turning 157 acres of essentially green space - inside the city limits - into a muddy and scarred landscape of smelly refuse.

The steep terrain that funnels water directly from the country club into Cypress Creek, seems far from ideal for a landfill.

An expanded landfill could inflict irreversible damage on the creek's ecosystem, an important sanctuary for wildlife, plants and human solitude. It could also become a nuisance to nearby residents. The city, in essence, would be fouling its own nest.

If the city of Florence truly intends to pursue the property, it should do so with an eye on preservation and protection rather than destruction.

The other two potential uses seem more palatable from an environmental and aesthetic sense although details remain vague.

The membership and investors at Florence Golf and Country Club want to recoup as much of their investment as possible. But we hope they balance this desire with an interest in what happens to this special piece of real estate.

They have an opportunity to help or hurt the community with their important decision.