Source: Associate Press
The municipality of Juneau has signed a 35-year land lease with a nonprofit group to build a golf course on city land on Douglas Island.
City Manager Rod Swope signed the lease Thursday with Peter Metcalfe, president of the nonprofit Totem Creek.
The project was launched in 1994 when the Juneau Assembly requested proposals to build a golf course on the city-owned land. The plan was stalled before the Planning Commission for about five years when residents said a golf course would hurt surrounding habitat.
Totem Creek eventually received a permit with stipulations on habitat issues, water quality control and other matters.
"The project took 10 years. Some people still feel bittersweet about it," Swope told Metcalfe. "I congratulate you for your perseverance and patience."
Assemblyman Johan Dybdahl reviewed the project when he was chairman of the Planning Commission.
"Very few projects take that long," Dybdahl said. "We went through a lot of reviews and public participation so we had this superior project. I just hope the golf course will be built before we run around there in wheelchairs."
With the new lease, Totem Creek is ready to raise the $8 million needed to build the golf course, Metcalfe said. The agreement calls for Totem Creek to raise the money in five years.
Metcalfe said he is optimistic that construction will start next year.
"It is going to be three years from groundbreaking to tee off," Metcalfe said.
Local golf players and even the owners of the nine-hole Mendenhall Golf Course welcome the news.
Gary Murdoch, board member of Juneau Golf Club, said the town is long overdue for the golf course.
"My dad thinks it is the stupidest sport, chasing a small white ball to a small hole," said Murdoch, who has played golf for 45 years. "It is fun to hit the ball. And it is a good opportunity to meet good people."
Jeff and Trina Jones said the new course would encourage more young people to learn the sport. The couple plays golf three to five times a week when the Mendenhall Golf Course is open.
Thomas and Koggie File, owners of the Mendenhall Golf Course, said they don't think the new golf course will affect their business.
"There will always be a demand for our type of golf," said Koggie, who has owned the business since 1983. "We are affordable. We have the location, the view. We have a lot to offer."