- Nelson Jones wants to appoint a committee to answer questions about the feasibility of expanding the golf course
|
By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
A nine-hole golf course could be expanded to 18-holes but what would it cost, where would be it placed, could it be done, should it be done?
Nelson Jones, a local dentist and golf enthusiast, was invited by Mayor Mark Jones, to speak to the council about his idea of forming a committee to investigate the possibility of expansion of the current golf course to 18-holes. N. Jones said such expansion would make the course more competitive and attractive to golfers who were from out of town.
“Nelson Jones and I have talked, numerous times, about expanding the golf course,” said M. Jones. “I invited him here to talk about his ideas for forming a committee.”
N. Jones, at the conclusion of the presentation, was asked to suggest names for a committee and give them to M. Jones. The council will then consider the names and the mayor will make appointments to the committee.
“Along with the appointment, they need to be given a mission,” said Randy McKnight, city administrator.
Brent Bowles, council member, suggested that no one be notified that they were being considered for the appointments until such time as they were actually appointed so that some, who would be on a list of possible committee members but did not receive a final appointment, would not be disappointed.
N. Jones said the Juab High girl’s team had attracted 15 girls and there were over 40 young people, from the junior class on down through the eligible ages, playing the game as part of the school program. In addition, he said, there were many residents of the community of all ages who enjoyed the sport.
“Golf is one sport you can play until you drop dead,” he said. “I am almost 70 and I still play.”
M. Jones said he knew the council would favor listening to a proposal to form a committee to make suggestions about the golf course but would reserve a decision on the probability of actually building an addition until they heard what costs might be involved.
“The purpose of the committee would be to answer questions about the feasibility of expanding the golf course,” said N. Jones.
He said that all cities with golf courses were competing for a certain number of golfing dollars. Cities all around Nephi had built golf courses that were 18 holes. Nephi’s nine-hole course was limited in attracting golfing events by its small size. For example, he said, tournaments were not permitted on nine-hole courses and corporations hosting events did not even consider nine-hole courses.
A committee would consider cost, design, land purchase, land exchange, land agreements with surrounding neighbors, maintenance, water, possible grants, funding possibilities and other considerations.
The committee would look at the possibility of using volunteers or volunteer groups to assist with construction and development.
“We may address the ownership of the golf course,” N. Jones said.
In one instance he was aware of, a developer came in and built a course with the understanding that he would then turn the course over to the city but would retain development rights to the property surrounding the course. Such developments use become high-end housing areas.
N. Jones did say that he thought it would be important for those who became members of the committee to be hard workers who would be willing to put in the time necessary to get the job done and were not those types who liked being on a committee but not actually working.
Another suggestion he had, said N. Jones, was that all considering the project be willing to rise above personal opinion and consider the project on the basis of fact, once the committee had returned with some findings. That would be the time, he said, for hard questions and serious considerations.
“A deadline needs to be set for the study to be completed,” said N. Jones.
Don Ball, a resident, said he would like to strongly suggest that the committee also look into the possibility of constructing a miniature golf course which would bring enjoyment to many in the community.
That consideration could be made at the same time an 18-hole golf course was considered. The committee will study the feasibility of developing a course at all.
“It may turn out to be a matter of timing,” said N. Jones. “It is eventually inevitable that there be a 18-hole golf course in Nephi.”
|
