Council hears plan to tarp greens and temporarily close parts of golf course to restore greens

Beaver City Council on Aug. 26 discussed a proposal to accept donated tarps to cover and protect the city golf-course greens during winter months and to close the greens to allow recovery.

A council member noted community offers to donate tarps to protect the greens and asked whether the city can accept the donation and store the materials. Staff and council discussed options including tarping the primary greens, creating temporary greens in front of the originals, providing winter closures and signage, and using available staff or community volunteers to install and store tarps.

Council members cautioned about storage logistics and labor needs; one member said tarps and related labor could be donated but the city must ensure proper storage and deployment. Several council members argued that keeping play off greens in cold months is necessary to recover turf and agreed the city should consider a policy that opens the greens only when weather and turf conditions warrant it.

Other suggestions included keeping the driving range or pump track available as lower-cost alternatives and charging fees when the course is open on particularly good winter days. No formal vote or appropriation was taken; council asked staff to compile details on tarp sizes, storage options and likely labor needs and return with a recommendation.

Ending: Staff will gather tarp specifications, storage options and a proposed operational plan (including signage and seasonal opening rules) and report back to the council for a follow-up decision.