Port seeking ideas on golf course improvements

A letter from Port District 7 went out to a targeted list asking them to attend a meeting Dec. 12, to discuss possible improvements to the Banks Lake Golf Course.

Port District commissioners got the idea of applying for a grant to improve the course from Colville Tribal planner and grant writer Frank Andrews Jr.

Andrews had attended a previous Port District meeting but the agenda was so long he didn’t have time to speak to commissioners. That changed in the port’s November meeting and Andrews outlined the possibility of applying for a grant with the Washington State Recreation and Conservation office’s Land and Water Conservation Fund. Their funding comes from a portion of federal revenue from selling and leasing off-shore oil and gas resources.

In the letter, recipients are invited to share their views of what might be done in 2014 to improve the course, and the grant funding possibility that Andrews outlined.

While the letter went out to targeted golf fans, such as members and former members of the course, commissioners were quick to extend the invitation to the 6 p.m. meeting at the golf course meeting room in the club house.

Commissioners noted the fact that the course was improved this past golf season, using primarily volunteer help. But there’s more that can be done, commissioners said.

The Port District has poured well over $100,000 into the operation of the course the past two years and without an outside operator, it will continue this practice for another year.

The Port District wants ideas from the public of the type of improvements wanted and then will establish a priority list of ideas.

Andrews volunteered to help write the grant application, which would have to be submitted by February, 2014, with grants awarded in July.