Michael Moore, superintendent for Michigan City’s golf courses, told the Parks and Recreation Board on July 16 that the department will need to upgrade its irrigation satellites at an estimated cost of about $180,000 because the supplier will no longer support the existing SitePro control system.
Moore said the current irrigation program, installed roughly 28 years ago, communicates via radio satellites; the vendor will discontinue support and parts for the older system. The proposed upgrade replaces the satellites (17 on the south course, six on the north course) and updates the control software so staff can operate heads via cell phone instead of a two‑way radio and long codes.
Moore said the change will make daily operations more efficient: staff can open an app, view a layout and run individual heads. He also reported high water usage this season, noting that the courses have pumped about 8,700,000 gallons between both courses in the last month and a half because of warm weather.
Moore said the project had its first reading at a recent city council meeting and that parts of the work will proceed if council approves funding. He described the upgrade as the only practical option to keep the irrigation system serviceable and supported: “Poro is no longer going to support our SitePro program that we use for our irrigation. So we're gonna update to links. But to be able to do that, we have to upgrade our satellites out on the golf course.”
Board members asked operational questions about durability, expected lifespan, and why a full replacement is necessary; Moore said vendor support and parts availability make replacement the practical option and that he expects the upgrade to provide long‑term service. Moore also reported other course issues such as vandalism, theft of course signage, and two carts in ponds this year, and noted staffing increases and completed roof repairs related to prior hail damage.
Outcome: The item was presented to the board as informational; the superintendent reported a first reading at council but the parks board did not vote on or authorize funding at the July 16 meeting. Moore said staff will pursue council approval and then implement the upgrade if funded.