Quesnel City Council is kicking around the idea of bringing the sport of disc golf to the community.
A presentation was made at last (Tuesday) night’s meeting by Stewart McIsack of InDesign Disc Golf.
“Essentially we were brought up and we took a look at the West Fraser Timber Park. The idea there is to establish whether or not this is appropriate facility that could support disc golf in the community of Quesnel.”
McIsack noted that the sport was similar to traditional golf.
“The difference being it’s played with a frisbee and that frisbee gets caught by a metal basket or contraption. There’s pars, there is forward tees and longer tees and so fourth.:”
McIsack suggested that the design be done in five phases.
“Phase 1 of this would be to a course routing plan and brush removal. Essentially what this means is the time for us to get in there, figure out the level of detail in terms of how the course would route efficiently through that plot of land because they have some sort of connectivity between them.”
He says that would be followed by a detailed course design.
“Once a lot of the underbrush, you know dead fall, widow makers and so fourth are removed from the area it gets easier to see the flight patterns so there is a detailed design that would happen at that phase.”
Phase three would be the layout, marking and tender walk-through followed by the construction overview and then a grand opening and introduction to disc golf.
McIsack also talked about the projected cost of the course, including the design.
“The estimate for the building and construction is about 118 thousand dollars. The five phase design from us would be just under 30 thousand dollars, and then in total you would be looking at a capital commitment of just under 150 thousand dollars. ($147,447.18)
Councillor Martin Runge asked about maintenance costs.
McIsack noted that the city was already mowing the open area, so he felt that any increase would be minimal.
Mayor Ron Paull called it “an excellent shovel ready project that would hopefully be eligible for grant funds.”
Councillor Mitch Vik said that people have suggested an interest in the sport to him but he too said the question would be if the city could budget for it.
McIsack said interest in the sport has grown a lot in recent years.
“The sport of disc golf grew tremendously through COVID. There is a Professional Disc Golfers Association. That association’s membership nearly tripled over the 4 years.”
INDesign Disc Golf has already helped to establish a course in Williams Lake in October of last year.
It’s located next to the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex in in Boitanio Park.