The Eagle Creek Pub & Grill at Burnaby Mountain Golf Course is shutting its doors, and local golfers are upset about it.
As of May 7, the restaurant is closing until the City of Burnaby decides what it wants to do with the site. The announcement of its closure came as a shock to Bonnie Whitten, who is circulating a petition to keep the restaurant open for business.
"We've talked to golfers in the parking lot, at the driving range, at the restaurant, and they're just so upset," Whitten told the NOW. "They didn't know anything about it."
Whitten's sister, Georgia Wagner, has also been at the golf course gathering signatures. More than 100 people signed within 90 minutes the first day they went out to garner support.
"This is an oasis for seniors and golfers and people who walk the trails," she said. "Everybody who's been willing to sign is outraged."
The city is hiring a marketing firm to evaluate the site, located on the Burnaby Mountain Golf Course, to determine what would work best to serve the community.
“The restaurant business is a very challenging industry right now and there are trends going in a lot of different directions,” said David O’Connor, manager of golf operations with the city, adding that four or five other restaurants in the area have closed in the last few years.
When asked if the closure is a result of a recent lack of profit, O’Connor said with a laugh, “I’m not sure it has (turned a profit) for a decade.”
“At this point, based on our projections, it’s not looking good. Every day, it’s just a little deeper.
“We’re not blaming anybody, but I just think we have to put a hold on everything, do an assessment, and from that perspective, develop a business plan.”
O’Connor said the city has had to step in over the last 18 months to assist in maintaining the service level, and despite the hard work of the operator and employees, the budget has always been tight for the pub.
Additionally, the fact that it is licensed as a pub limits the ability for children and families to dine there – something that O’Connor said the evaluation will consider.
“One of the evaluations we would look at is changing the liquor licence so it could be a food primary so that children and families could utilize the restaurant,” he said. “You just have to widen your market a little bit.”
The city held a job fair for staff who wanted to continue working in the restaurant industry in Burnaby.
O’Conner said the snack bar and banquet area will continue to operate as a bistro, and the facility will continue to offer catering services.
