Mayor Billie Wallace and Mayor Pro Tem Travis M. Smith released a statement this week about the former Waxahachie Country Club, saying the course “should be open” but that the next step depends on the private ownership side. Smith emphasized that the statement came from the perspective of two City Council members, not as a formal action by the full Waxahachie City Council. According to Wallace and Smith, a short-term reopening idea had been discussed. The plan would have involved a private lease of the golf course property for 60 days, monthly course rental, possible extensions, course maintenance and a review of the property’s condition and assets. They stressed that the idea was not a city purchase, not a final development agreement and not a promise of zoning, incentives, land exchange, public funding or future council action. The statement says a meeting was held May 18 as the course’s closure became imminent. The next day, a private community stakeholder was allowed to begin mowing and weed-eating the property. But Wallace and Smith said there was no meaningful follow-up from the private ownership side after that. A second written follow-up was sent May 26, with the course still closed, locked and chained. According to Smith, the property has a $39.3 million price tag. He also said the current owners are not interested in keeping a golf course on the land. For now, there is no reopening date. Wallace and Smith said a path forward is still possible, but only if the ownership side takes action, provides documentation and follows through. “This course deserves one more honest chance,” the statement said.