A full irrigation replacement has been completed at Downriver Golf Course. The new irrigation system will enhance the quality of play by improving turf conditions and is estimated to save approximately 11.5 million gallons of water per year – over 20% of the water used on the course! Read more.
Irrigation replacement work at Esmeralda Golf Course is complete with 87,800 feet of irrigation pipe, 1,300 feet of pond pipe, 1,460 irrigation heads and 316 valves installed.
Indian Canyon's complete irrigation replacement – replacing the original 1936 system – is finished, and greens at 5, 8, 9, 12 & 17 have been completely rebuilt. Come experience the improved quality of play!
Thank you for your patience during renovations, and for your support of these important improvements to our courses. Not only will they improve play and longevity of our treasured courses, they will conserve water in alignment with the City’s strategic plan.
The Facility Improvement Fee (built into the City of Spokane Golf rates) is re-paying a loan of $7.5 million set aside for golf course improvements over the next four to five years.
Spokane parks staff has also partnered with the City Utilities Division to secure an additional $500,000 for golf improvements, bringing the total program budget to $8.0M.
A large portion of the $7.5 million has been earmarked for irrigation updates/upgrades as a few of our current systems are from 1930's or the 1950's. We believe these irrigation projects at three of the City of Spokane Golf Courses not only conserves water and reduces the time required to water the course, but our golfers and their guests will also see significant improvements in the course turf playing conditions.
We have selected Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects to develop master plans for each course. The plans will help guide facility improvements beyond irrigation needs and provide a roadmap for future refinements over the next 20 years.
Downriver Master Plan
Esmeralda Master Plan
Indian Canyon Master Plan
Additional Projects
Three of four courses have seen significant capital improvements over the past few years. Courses with the most antiquated infrastructure have been improved first.
Based on 2017 survey feedback, the additional improvements may include: bunkers, hazards, practice facilities, greens, cart paths, on-course upgrades, club houses and infrastructure, parking lots, and lighting.
Budget
High-level budget for the improvements:
We heard you!
Through a survey with 1,200 of our golfers in 2017, we identified capital improvements to our courses and facilities that are necessary to providing the experience that our customers want and have come to expect. 40 to 68% of golfers felt we should invest in capital improvements and repairs to remain competitive (percentages varied by course). Thank you for your feedback.
As such, Spokane Parks and Recreation is implementing a Facility Improvement Fee (FIF) at all of our golf courses. This will repay a $7.5M loan for capital investments that we secured in April 2018. The fee will directly fund improvements at all four golf courses.
These fees are included in the 2024 rates. They will show as a separate line item on your receipt and are placed in a dedicated fund.
$4 – tournament rate
$5 – 9-hole rack rates, junior rate, sunset rate, Players Pass and Loyalty Pass rounds
$7 – 18-hole rack rates, pre-book rounds
$10 – Players Pass
$25 – Loyalty Pass, Junior Unlimited Pass
$75 – 10-Play Pass
$100 – Adult and Senior Unlimited Passes
To lessen the construction impact to golfers, we will do our best to work on projects off-season. When that’s not possible, we’ll minimize the impact to golfers as much as possible and play around the construction.
We will communicate proposed course impacts to the community in advance.
In April 2024, Spokane Parks & Recreation presented an National Recreation and Parks Association webinar on golf course facility improvements.
Mark Poirier, PGA
Golf Manager
509.625.4653
mpoirier@spokanecity.org
