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Board endorses golf-course phase 3 plan, approves capital requests including $15,000 range machine allowance
Summary
The Parks and Recreation Board reviewed golf-course revenues and condition, discussed water reliability and proposed renovations (phase 3), and approved capital requests including a $15,000 range machine allowance and other equipment needs; the board expects the major rebuild to proceed in 2027 if city funding is secured.
The Parks and Recreation Board reviewed an upbeat revenue report for the city-run golf course, discussed course maintenance and water supply reliability, and approved capital requests that include a range dispenser upgrade and an allowance for a range-ball machine.
Jason, who presented the golf and cemetery capital lists, told the board the golf course is ahead of last year in many revenue categories and that rounds have been high: he averaged roughly 140 rounds per day in May and described multiple days with more than 200 rounds. Board members said high traffic is straining some turf areas and that additional fertilization and targeted maintenance may be required.
On water reliability, Jason said the city will drain the lake this fall and that engineers are working on plans to ensure a dependable supply going forward. He told the board he has been in contact with the city engineer and lake engineers and was exploring water-saving measures and wetting agents; he cautioned there is no firm answer yet and stressed the primary concern is “reliability of the water source.”
Capital plan and phase 3: Jason reviewed a proposed phase 3 course renovation and associated scope. The estimate shown to the board was $1.329 million for the full phase, which includes reconstructing hole 14 (new green, tees, pond and bunkers), constructing a new par-3 green, new tees and other course work. Jason said the project has a timeline that makes 2027 the likely construction year because contractors are generally committed for 2026.
Funding and timing: Board members said the project team has secured $500,000 in local donor commitments and the board expects to request the remaining roughly $800,000 from the city across the next two budget years. The board discussed donor intent and whether some donors expect the short-course or driving-range work to be included; members asked staff to confirm donor scopes before advancing requests to the city budget process.
Equipment and other capital: Jason also presented a prioritized list of other capital needs for both the cemetery and golf course. Notable items the board approved to request for next year included an automatic irrigation filter and treatment system (to address zebra mussel risk and sediment), a replacement payloader and an upgraded range dispenser/electronics. The board explicitly authorized adding approximately $7,500 for a range-ball picker to raise the total allowance for the range machine to about $15,000; a motion to approve the capital request package including that addition passed by voice vote.
Votes at a glance: earlier in the meeting the board approved meeting minutes and financial reports by voice vote; the board later approved the 14-by-14 mausoleum lot at $3,500 (see related article) and approved the capital requests including the range-machine allowance.
Board members asked staff to confirm donor preferences for phase 3 components before the mayor and council finalize capital budgets. Jason said if council is supportive the city could stagger the city share across fiscal years 2026 and 2027; staff and board agreed to continue refining costs before formal city budget submission.
Ending: Board members commended staff for course condition and said they will continue to track irrigation planning and capital prioritization as the city budget process advances.
