Disc golf has been growing in popularity over the past few years, and while Moose Jaw has only one course, a group of residents plans to install a second course soon.
During its April 10 executive committee meeting, city council unanimously approved a recommendation to authorize city administration to prepare a licensing agreement with the Sunningdale VLA Community Association for the construction, maintenance and operation of an 18-hole disc golf course in the Sunningdale Nature Park.
Once finalized, city administration must bring the agreement to an upcoming council meeting for official approval.
Leslie Campbell, association chairwoman, presented the proposal to council.
Presentation
“Ensuring this disc golf course is a safe environment for everyone using Sunningdale Park was the No. 1 priority when the course was designed. As each hole was repeatedly tested, tweaked and modifications were made until any safety concerns were removed,” Campbell said, noting installation and removal of equipment is easy.
The association hired local expert Zach Renwick to design the course, while he believes the current level of maintenance at Sunningdale Park is “totally fine,” she continued. Disc golfers should easily find their discs if the grass is cut often.
The association will add more garbage bins, while it will install the wood tee boxes flush to the ground so special mowing equipment is not needed.
People can walk to the course, but those who drive can park in the Sunningdale School lot — school administrators wrote a letter supporting the project — or along Wood Lily Drive.
Some signage the organization will install — costing roughly $15,000 — includes a welcome sign with the course layout and disc golf etiquette at holes 1, 8 and 10, hole signs at each tee box, and awareness/warning signs.
The SVLACA will purchase and install the 18 holes, the wood railroad-tie tee boxes, and course signs, upload the course to the UDisc app, and co-ordinate a grand opening media event, Campbell said.
It will also offer learn-to-play sessions for families, youths and adults, purchase free-use discs to store at the Kinsmen Sportsplex and sign an agreement with city hall that clarifies the association’s role after it builds the course.
Mayor Clive Tolley thought it was “heartening” that the volunteer association was bringing forward this proposal — he applauded their efforts — considering council declared April 16 to 22 as National Volunteer Week.
Coun. Crystal Froese thought the project was exciting and, as a board member with Wakamow Valley, knew its disc golf course was heavily used year-round. She was also pleased that the association would install warning signs since the course crosses nearby pathways.
“Disc golfers are very polite people, so I can’t see that this (wouldn’t) be a harmonious relationship with people on the pathways,” she added. “And it is a four-season sport, which in this province is a tough one to find.”
Facts about the sport
Disc golf is played in over 40 countries, while 62 per cent of Canadians have a disc golf course within eight kilometres of their homes, a council report explained.
The sport is inexpensive since a Frisbee-type disc costs $7 to $10, while it’s accessible and can be played by people of all ages and abilities, the report continued. Moreover, the game is fun, easy to learn, relaxing, and a great way to exercise, meet people, and spend time with friends.
Moose Jaw’s lone disc golf venue is the 16-hole course at Wakamow Valley. Meanwhile, there is a 9-hole course at 15 Wing Air Base, in Caronport, and at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park, while Regina has an 18-hole course.
“Adding a disc golf course to the park can also serve as a safety measure, as unlawful activities are less likely to happen when people are around (who) may witness or report suspicious activity,” the report added.
The next executive committee meeting is Monday, April 24.
