Source: The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, Calif.)
The Coachella Valley's only lighted course for nighttime golf is getting a $5 million facelift.
On Wednesday, without discussion, the Indio City Council unanimously approved spending $562,660 to hire David Evans and Associates to design the renovations and expansions that should begin after the new year.
The changes will turn the city's 40-year-old municipal golf course into an executive golf course with some par-4 holes.
Currently the course only has par-3 holes.
"I've golfed there one or two times. It's old. It needs to be restored. I think the renovation is a good thing," said George Thomas, a longtime Indio resident.
He has friends who have moved into the new homes surrounding the golf course in north Indio and said they're looking forward to the upgrade.
After the renovations are complete, green fees will increase from $15 for 18 holes to the "mid-$20s," said Mark Wasserman, administrative project manager with the city.
Mike Carroll, the golf course manager, thinks $25 is still a reasonable price for golf, compared to other courses in the valley.
He said the renovations will attract more people even with the fee increase.
"It's really a pretty darn good golf course but it's never been upgraded since it's been built."
"We need a new lighting system we need a new irrigation system, the driving range needs to be made into a real driving range," Carroll said.
He said the course's regular customers are more put off by the clubhouse than anything else because of its age and condition.
The city issued municipal bonds to fund the renovation expansion.
Renovations include expanding the golf course by 13 acres, a new clubhouse and maintenance facility and converting the par-3 golf course into an executive golf course with some par-4 holes.
"It's a total renovation; it's going to be a really beautiful course. The residents of Indio will be
really proud of it," Wasserman said.
He said construction should begin after the new year, with a completion date of November or December 2005.
Mayor Jacquie Bethel said she is exited about the renovations because "this will put us on par with other city golf courses."
Glance: Indio Municipal Golf Course
Where: 83-040 Avenue 42, east of Jackson Street
Features: Has 18 par-3 holes and nighttime lighting
Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Cost: $15 green fees; $5 additional 9 holes. After renovations: mid-$20s green fees
Renovations: A new clubhouse and maintenance facility and conversion into an executive golf course with some par-4 holes
Golfers: In fiscal year 2003-04, there were 45,000 rounds (18 holes) of golf played.