SAN DIEGO -- A local group wants to know why the City of San Diego isn't collecting rent from a prestigious golf country club.

Some say the city is losing out on thousands of dollars in revenue.

It's a beautiful golf course in the heart of Fairbanks Ranch.

But some say the Fairbanks Country Club's financial records aren't up to par.

“It's pay back time,” according to Friends of San Dieguito River Valley's Ann Gardner.

She says it's time the private golf course pays rent.

“You got to use that property for twenty-five years rent free,” Gardner said.

In 1986, the club was granted the use of 400 acres of public open space until 2010, or until the club membership sales exceeded $25 million.

Gardner says that threshold was crossed in 2003. “Then they had to pay the city 3%. They're balking at paying this amount,” Gardner said.

According to accounting records 10News obtained, the golf course owes the city more than $160,000. 10News asked Mayor Jerry Sanders office why he's not collecting, but a spokesman said “he's looking into the issue.”

10News then went to the country club. The director there had no comment.

Gardner said the city should consider terminating the lease.

“What do you say to those people who say `why should I care?” 10News asked Gardner.

“We should say `I care because we need the revenue.’ Why do we taxpayers have to suffer shorter library hours, having our public swimming pools close?” Gardner responded.

Gardner said San Diego is losing out on hundreds of thousands of potential revenue.

She wants action and is asking the City to send outstanding bills to collections.

“In 2010, that rent is going to be something like a $1 million a year,” Gardner said.

Dollars that, Gardner says, could help the city with its financial problems.