EDA hears pump‑house tie recommended to irrigate Superior National golf course; engineers estimate $133K–$374K

The Cook County Economic Development Authority heard a detailed presentation July 21 from Lake Superior Papplar River Water District director Molly Hicken on options to get irrigation water to Superior National Golf Course.

Hicken told directors the district and consultant Barr Engineering evaluated three options: completing an original underground connection (costly and disruptive), tapping a hydrant fed by the district pipeline (could affect firefighting capacity and future district uses), or tying the 24‑inch main at the pump house into the golf‑course’s smaller irrigation system. "The option that seemed the simplest was to tap into the pump house and feed the irrigation system from the shore," Hicken said. She described replacing internal irrigation piping in the small pump house, installing HDPE piping and a flow meter so the district can track usage for cost‑sharing.

Barr provided conceptual cost ranges: about $250,000 with an optional level sensor for automated pond control (range $175,000–$374,000), or about $190,000 without the level sensor (range $133,000–$285,000). Hicken cautioned the drawings are conceptual and that final bids and engineering detail could change estimates. "Any estimate that he provides is going to come with an asterisk next to it," she said.

Directors pressed on the value of automation and staffing risks; Hicken said the larger figure primarily covers automation that reduces reliance on on‑site staff. The water district has provisionally approved the pump‑house tie option; Hicken and other presenters said construction and a water‑user agreement with the future golf‑course owner would occur after closing. The EDA said it will fund detailed engineering, put the work out to bid and return to the board with bid results.