A controversial proposal to study relocating a beloved Saskatoon golf course has landed city councillors in the rough with local residents, sparking a wave of opposition.
Council Motion Ignites Public Backlash
Councillor Zach Jeffries introduced a motion during the final city council meeting of 2025, which narrowly passed, directing city administration to prepare a report. The report will assess the feasibility of moving the Wildwood Golf Course from its current location at 4050 8th Street East and using the prime land for future city development.
The mere suggestion triggered an immediate and passionate response from the community. Councillors reported being inundated with calls and emails shortly after the motion appeared on the agenda. Councillor Scott Ford described his email inbox lighting up like a Christmas tree, while Councillor Bev Dubois said she received hundreds of messages from concerned citizens.
Residents Rally to Defend a Community Asset
Several residents submitted formal letters to council voicing their strong disapproval. The sentiment was clear: the golf course is a valued community resource that should remain untouched.
"Jeffries should be terminated from council immediately," wrote resident Darrell Lutzko in one sharply worded letter. Another resident, Faye Gloeden, urged council to "Find something useful to discuss at council meetings and leave our parks and green spaces alone!"
The opposition letters highlighted multiple reasons for preserving the course, including:
- The critical importance of maintaining green spaces within the city.
- Its use as a cross-country skiing venue during winter months.
- The availability of other areas in Saskatoon suitable for infill development.
Although no one requested to speak at the council meeting, a number of residents attended in person to observe the proceedings, underscoring the high level of public interest.
A Debate With Deep Historical Roots
This is not the first time the future of the Wildwood Golf Course has been questioned. The issue dates back decades, with a similar concept explored in a 1980 Saskatoon StarPhoenix article that outlined plans to shift the course roughly one kilometre to the south.
Even earlier, in 1976, a plebiscite asked Saskatoon residents a direct question: “Do you favour the retention of the Wildwood Golf Course at its present site?” The public sentiment at the time was clear. Back then, estimates placed the cost of constructing a new course at $750,000.
The historical plan, had it proceeded, would have seen 100 acres of the Wildwood area subdivided and developed. Today, city administration could not provide a modern cost estimate for building a replacement course, noting that such expenses vary widely.
During the recent council discussion, it was clarified that the passing of Jeffries' motion does not authorize any immediate decisions or expenditures. Instead, it initiates a study, with a report expected in late 2026 that will answer the many questions currently surrounding the idea.
As Councillor Scott Ford aptly summarized, reflecting the overwhelming feedback from his constituents, "People really love what they have in Wildwood." The coming report will determine whether the city's development ambitions can be reconciled with the community's attachment to this longstanding recreational space.
