Council approves $2.255 million golf irrigation upgrades; city highlights water‑savings potential

The council approved a capital project amendment to replace and modernize irrigation systems at city golf courses, allocating approximately $2.255 million from the Golf Enterprise Fund to complete work at Sunset and to replace pumps at U Creek.

Jeff Rezner of Community Enrichment explained Sunset’s irrigation is nearly 60 years old; earlier pump and motor replacements created higher pressure that revealed failing pipes. The full irrigation replacement at Sunset is estimated at about $2.1 million; replacing U Creek’s pump station and controls is estimated at about $450,000. Rezner said modern controllers and better zone‑by‑zone scheduling allowed by new systems delivered 30–37% water savings at Twin Peaks after prior upgrades, and that similar savings are expected at Sunset once fully converted — with a future phase to convert Sunset from potable to raw water to reduce potable consumption.

Council members asked about resilience, whether the upgrades are sized for future conditions, and whether reclaimed/gray water can be used; staff said raw‑water use is possible but subject to adjudication and that the projects are being designed for a multidecade horizon while also reducing irrigated acreage where appropriate. Funding will come from golf fund balance generated by user fees; staff said golf revenues increased markedly since 2019 and fund balance supports the work.