LAKEPORT >> An 18-hole disc golf course will be installed at Lakeport’s Westside Community Park soon. The course was proposed to the Lakeport City Council by The Basket Cases, a Lake County Disc Golf club, during its Tuesday meeting.
“It’s going to be a course that anyone can play, from beginner to professional,” Basket Cases President Jim Goetz said.
According to Lakeport Public Works Superintendent Douglas Grider, the club will install, operate and maintain the course, paying for its construction using club funds and donations from businesses.
This isn’t the club’s first time designing and building a course, having constructed the course at the Highland Springs Reservoir in 1980.
“Disc golf has relatively low capital and maintenance costs compared with other recreational installations, is environmentally sound, is played year-round in all climates and is immediately enjoyed by beginners of all ages,” the proposal states.
Additionally, the club will empty trash cans and pay for the placement of at least one portable toilet. Upon entering a lease agreement with the city, The Basket Cases will also provide liability insurance.
Prior to being brought to the council, the Lakeport Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously approved the proposal at its April 2 meeting.
“You don’t have to be a great athlete, but you get great exercise chasing that thing all over the place,” Grider said.
Because of the club’s prior engagements, the course would be ready for use by the end of summer or early fall.
“We have tournaments coming up,” Jim Goetz, president of The Basket Cases, explained. “But it will definitely be ready by fall.”
As the park’s master plan does not include the course, as the park expands and reaches its goals, the course may have to be reduced to nine holes, redesigned or removed completely.
Several councilmembers said they would like to keep the course as long as possible, if not permanent in some capacity.
Councilman Kenneth Parlet only voiced concerns regarding safety.
“If you’re hit in the head with one of those things, they can knock you out,” Parlet said.
Goetz assured the council that the club would design the course to reduce the possibility of injury to people or damage to property as much as possible.
The council unanimously approved the proposal with a 5-0 vote.
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.
