The budget for the Kingswood Park disc golf course, which will be a permanent fixture once completed, is getting a $47,900 top-up, council decided on Tuesday.
The course was initially approved in 2021 with a budget of $100,000, however, when design work and further stakeholder consultation took place last year, administration learned the cross-country skiing community had significant concerns regarding the impact the course would have on skiing equipment and trail quality, as the park is a cross country hub in the winter months, a report to council says.
“Concerns largely focused on impacts to ski grooming equipment and ski trail quality from the material for the tee pads,” the backgrounder says, adding that skiers told the city that having 18 concrete tee pads throughout Kingswood Park could negatively impact the ski-ability of the park during winter months.
As a compromise, administration recommended to council that artificial turf should be installed for the course's tee pads, and the course's design will be changed so that less park area is used for the course.
The additional $47,900 will cover the design changes, inflationary costs, and eight additional baskets as council also approved a motion put forward by Coun. Natalie Joly to purchase additional baskets in order for the temporary disc golf course in Langholm Park to remain open through 2024.
At the end of the May 2 council meeting, in recognition of Joly's motion, Coun. Sheena Hughes put forward a notice of motion asking administration to complete a feasibility study on whether or not the temporary Langholm Park course could become permanent.
Administration had originally planned to close the Langholm Park course in conjunction with the opening of the Kingswood Park course, which is expected to happen in about six weeks, however Joly's motion means both the Langholm and Kingswood Park course will be open this summer.
Council unanimously approved the budget variance, with the additional $47,900 being covered through the city's capital reserve.
