The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors has voted to extend the El Prado Golf Course operator’s contract for another 22 years.
“In order for there to be a sizeable investment, you do have to guarantee the leaseholder a sizeable amount of time,” Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe, who also chairs the board, said on Tuesday.
At its meeting Tuesday, April 29, the board weighed two options for management of the course at the county’s Prado Regional Park in Chino:
Extend the existing leading agreement with El Prado Development LLC, which has managed the course for five years;
Or direct the county’s Director of Real Estate Services to begin a competitive bid process, opening up the possibility of awarding management of the course to other companies.
El Prado Development first leased the 36-hole, 314.21- acre golf course in September 2020. The company’s lease was originally scheduled to end Aug. 31. The new contract extends that term through August 2047. The company will pay the county $11,000 a month for the first year, increasing 4% per year after that — bringing in $5.3 million in total expected revenue over the life of the contract. According to the contract, the company is obligated to perform $100,000 of annual maintenance on the course.
Golfers play on the El Prado Golf Course on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Chino. The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors is considering a new management company for the county-owned golf course. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Golfers drive through the El Prado Golf Course on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Chino. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
A golfer walks through the El Prado Golf Course on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Chino. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Golfers walk through the El Prado Golf Course on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Chino. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Entrance of El Prado Golf Course is seen on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Chino. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
A group of golfers stand on the El Prado Golf Course on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Chino. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Golfers play on El Prado Golf Course on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Chino. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
El Prado Golf Course clubhouse is seen on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Chino. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Golfers play on El Prado Golf Course on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Chino. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
A golfer pulls a club from his bag as he plays on El Prado Golf Course on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Chino. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
A golfers chips us to the green as he plays on El Prado Golf Course on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Chino. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
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Golfers play on the El Prado Golf Course on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Chino. The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors is considering a new management company for the county-owned golf course. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
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That price is in line with an independent analyst’s evaluation of the course’s value, Terry Thompson, the county’s director of real estate services, told the board on Tuesday.
Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman, who represents Chino, said the county has extended management contracts at other county-run facilities, including for the Ontario Convention Center, without going out for bid each time.
“Shouldn’t we have a ballot?” First District Supervisor Paul Cook objected.
“That’s what we’re here for,” Rowe responded.
“Well, I want a ballot,” Cook said, objecting to extending the existing contract. “Right now, I’m still very uncomfortable with it.”
In the end, the board voted 4-1 to extend the contract, with Cook dissenting.
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The county had been under pressure from at least one would-be management company to open up the process to sub-lease the course, which is on land the county leases from the Army Corps of Engineers.
“Choose integrity, choose integrity,” Dave Kooiman, who represents another group that was interested in bidding on the golf course sub-lease, told the board during its public hearing on the issue on Tuesday. “Put the lease out to bid.”
Others came out in defense of maintaining the status quo, saying that El Prado Development LLC has already improved the quality of the course and reconnected with the local business community.
“We have seen a dramatic change, not only in the condition of the golf course, but in the relationship between course leadership and our club,” said Danny Ortiz, president of the El Prado’s Men’s Golf Club. “We’re looking forward to a strong partnership for years to come.”
Representatives of multiple area chambers of commerce also voiced their support for current course management.
“It’s been a great working relationship from the start,” Edward Orneles, president of the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce, said of the organization’s relationship with El Prado Development. “Ownership made it clear they had a long journey ahead, but they were transparent, motivated and excited about what was possible.”
Kooiman vowed to continue the fight.
“We’re not done here,” he told the board after the vote.
Originally Published: April 29, 2025 at 1:48 PM PDT
