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Parks presents feasibility study for golf-entertainment center at Indian Trails; staff recommend advancing design work
Summary
Parks and Recreation briefed commissioners on a feasibility study for a year-round golf-entertainment facility at Indian Trails that could expand off-course revenue, support First Tee programming and potentially be funded by a bond; staff asked to release an RFQ for architects to refine costs and plans.
The Parks and Recreation Department presented a feasibility study on March 25 proposing a year-round golf-entertainment facility at Indian Trails Golf Course that staff say could expand revenue, programming and regional visitation.
Director David Marquardt summarized the study and test-fit plans that would locate a new entertainment building adjacent to the driving range and retain the city’s 26-bay facility. Marquardt said the driving-range investment the city made in 2015 and later improvements have driven growth at Indian Trails, with significant off-course participation and a demographic shift toward younger players and greater diversity.
The study estimates a conservative annual net operating margin of about $2.1 million for a new facility at the higher-investment end (roughly a $20 million placeholder bond), with projected annual revenue of about $7.8 million and expenditures of about $5.7 million. Staff estimated the investment needed to address current deferred maintenance on the course at roughly $4–$10 million if the city does not build a new entertainment facility.
Marquardt emphasized the proposal’s equity and education goals: the city would expand its partnership with First Tee of West Michigan and continue teaching and outreach programs for young people. "We would like to expand on that opportunity in partnership with First Tee of West Michigan," Marquardt said.
Commissioners raised financing questions, citing uncertain construction costs and the city’s fiscal environment; several commissioners supported moving to the next step of issuing a request for qualifications (RFQ) for an architecture firm to produce more detailed plans, cost estimates and a potential guaranteed maximum price. Staff said the study’s revenue estimates were conservative and noted that the pandemic drove a spike in outdoor recreation participation in 2020 that has continued.
Ending: Staff proposed two paths: continue incremental capital maintenance with current revenues or advance a new facility with a placeholder $20 million bond and RFQ for design. Commissioners signaled support to advance the design-phase RFQ and return later with costed plans and financing options for further deliberation.
