West Seattle Golf Course driving range? Parks Board, this week

Warm weather got you in the mood for golf? A big decision about the West Seattle Golf Course‘s future is days away. Thursday, the Seattle Board of Park Commissioners is scheduled to make its final recommendations on the citywide Golf Course Master Plan. After previous hearings and discussions, what’s known as “Option 4B” (see a summary of costs and timetables here) is in the forefront; under that plan, the first two elements slated for construction in West Seattle would be a double-level driving range ($3.4 million) and cart paths ($155,000), both scheduled for planning/design next year and construction in 2011. As shown in the Parks schematic above, the driving range would be on the western side of the golf course, south of the stadium and parking lot. Four other improvements — clubhouse, cart barn, maintenance facilities and perimeter trails — would be scheduled, under that “option,” for planning/design in 2013, construction in 2014. The Parks Board meets at 7 pm Thursday, department HQ at Denny Park (map); full documentation for this agenda item, and other agenda topics including athletic-field scheduling and park operating hours citywide, is linked from the board’s webpage.

OP April 20, 2009 (3:27 pm)

A driving range at WSGC would be awesome! And it’s long overdue. That would mean no more driving to Beacon Hill or down to Southcenter or up to Interbay. Not to mention a few after-school and summer jobs for kids. Lighting the range might be an issue for neighbors, but that’s workable and mostly just an issue in the fall and winter months. Big thumb’s up to this plan!

Sage April 20, 2009 (4:02 pm)

Glad to see the city understands that golf is still a multi-million dollar priority. Wouldn’t want to see luxury sports get hit by the budget axe along with human services — options for upwardly mobile recreation are already too few. Why stop with millions for golf. It’s time to demand a new polo grounds and lacrosse field now!

Jiggers April 20, 2009 (4:17 pm)

While they’re at it, they can build a new pro shop and club house along with it.

WSB April 20, 2009 (4:23 pm)

If you follow the links, a clubhouse is in the plan, but because of the money issue (as the previous comment alludes to), this is being proposed in phases. A major percentage of the costs is supposed to be covered by revenue – still sorting through the docs to figure out how much, since the original staff-supported proposal was amended to move up the driving range – TR

Sharonn April 20, 2009 (4:26 pm)

I attended all of the meetings held at West Seattle Golf Course and I came away from the last meeting hearing that they were planning to go with Option II, a smaller bond amount due to the economic downturn. Hopefully I am wrong and the resources to repay the increased bond amount can be generated by the addition of a driving range at West Seattle. The priorities presented were to build the much needed maintenance facility and the perimiter trail.

WSB April 20, 2009 (4:42 pm)

The driving range did move up. From the revised financial plan doc, issued before the 4/9 public hearing at Parks HQ:
.
>>At the March 12 briefing, the staff-recommended action was to move forward with
implementation of Option II, subject to Executive recommendations:
.
Option II – $19.9 million
Option II is a prioritized improvement program consisting of perimeter trails at all
courses, new clubhouses and cart barns at Jackson Park and Jefferson Park, a fully
renovated clubhouse at West Seattle, a new driving range at Jackson Park and completion
of the driving range at Jefferson Park.

Since then, four new funding scenarios have been examined, Options – 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B respectively. Staff will provide a verbal recommendation on a preferred option at the April 9 briefing, subject to Executive recommendations.<< While I was researching this item, Parks sources confirmed that 4B -- with the driving range and cart paths in the 2010-2011 first phase -- is the option that was recommended at the 4/9 hearing. It's listed first now on the "revised financial plan" doc linked above - TR

Sharonn April 20, 2009 (4:52 pm)

That is great news! Signed up for updates via email but never received one. Send your support via email to the Seattle Board of Park Commissioners or come to the meeting on Thursday at Parks’ headquarters.

Jim April 20, 2009 (6:09 pm)

How much time and money did it cost to determine that the best place for a new driving range a West Seattle Golf Course, would be the same spot that the old driving range was?

west seattle golfer April 20, 2009 (8:26 pm)

Wohoo!

homesweethome April 20, 2009 (8:57 pm)

This is great news – will look forward to this addition to WS – and not having to drive to Beacon, etc.

Justin April 21, 2009 (7:44 am)

Please voice your support for the perimeter trails. When you look at the small cost compared to how many tax payers will benefit, they are the best value.