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Stardust project comes in under budget; irrigation upgrades cut energy and water use, staff preview autonomous range picker
Summary
Committee heard that Stardust low bids came in about $370,000 under estimate, irrigation upgrades at Grand View reduced kilowatt usage ~38.8% and water by ~43 acre‑feet/year, and staff previewed a $65,000 autonomous range ball picker as a potential labor tool.
The committee reviewed several operational and capital developments that could affect future costs and course conditions.
Todd Patty, the environmental services manager, reported the sealed bids for the Stardust renovation returned with Heritage Links the low bidder, about $370,000 under the project estimate. The scope for the immediate contract will include bunker sand replacement, while re‑sodding with tiff‑tough grass was deferred to a later closure window because the soil conditions and irrigation timing increase the risk of failed regrassing if done too soon.
Todd and staff also presented measured performance improvements following irrigation upgrades at Grand View. They reported a 38.81% reduction in kilowatt usage (2022→2025), which translated to roughly a 20% reduction in cost (about $10,000 saved), a 38% decrease in irrigation repair operating costs (about $16,000), and an estimated average water savings of about 43 acre‑feet (nearly 14 million gallons) per year. Staff said they expect similar savings at Echo Mesa once its upgrades are complete.
Pat O’Hara described an autonomous range ball‑picker demo seen at Talking Stick that staff consider promising: the device uses a lithium battery with about six hours of runtime, can collect up to about 6,000 balls before offloading, and was priced at approximately $65,000 in the demo; staff estimated a 3.5–4 year return on investment as a potential labor‑savings tool but noted no funds are in the current budget for purchase.
Why it matters: the irrigation savings reduce operating costs and water demand; bargain bidding on Stardust improves the capital picture; and the autonomous picker could be a labor‑efficiency tool if cost, reliability and integration are validated.
Quote: Todd Patty said of Grand View’s irrigation results, “we had a 38.81% decrease from 2022 to 2025” in kilowatt usage, adding the upgrades averaged “about 43 acre feet” saved annually.
Next steps: staff will continue to develop Echo Mesa metrics, finalize scope language for the Stardust contract and keep the committee apprised of any autonomous equipment pilots; no capital awards were approved at the March 12 meeting.
Ending: The committee noted the positive cost and water impacts from irrigation work and asked staff to return with Echo Mesa data and further details on the Stardust contract and any pilot demonstration for automated range equipment.
