Volunteer effort working for course

Running Banks Lake Golf Course with volunteers is working, Port District 7 commissioners declared last Thursday.

In a financial report to commissioners, treasurer Joanne Davidson noted that the golf course is nearly $40,000 ahead of where it was last year at this time.

The course is being managed by commissioners and other volunteers, the first year of operation without paid staff.

"We have learned how to run a golf course," commission President James Keene said at the district's Thursday meeting at the airport.

All three commissioners, Keene, Jerry Sands and Gary Haag, along with treasurer Davidson, have all been regular volunteers at the golf course. Keene, Sands and Davidson have all taken shifts at the office, and Haag has been active mowing and doing other outside duties.

Accordingly, income every month, except March, has been significantly above the previous year.

Income for the first seven months this year has been $128,398.74, while expenses have been $94,887.12, a gain of $33,511.62. For the same period in 2015, the golf course had lost $4,296.19.

Keene related that several golfers who had quit playing the Banks Lake course have returned and expressed their delight in the appearance of the course.

Davidson pointed out to commissioners that the golf carts purchased two years ago will be paid off this year, cutting monthly obligations by about $600.

Looking ahead, Keene noted that commissioners will continue to play a big role in the future. However, it was noted that somewhere along the line, limited managerial help will be needed.

Also Thursday, the commissioners extended Grand Coulee Dam Airport Manager Bob Babler's contract for another year. It was noted that commissioners had received comments from visiting pilots of how nice the airport facilities looked, giving Babler credit for his work.