New disc golf course on target to fly in Waimate

An international grade 18-hole disc golf course proposed for Waimate has been given the green light by the district council.

In June, Waimate2gether, the group behind the $500,000 redevelopment of the district’s White Horse monument, proposed the disc golf course be built at Knottingley Park and Arboretum. At the time, council supported the proposal in principle but requested more information.

At the council meeting on

Tuesday, after an updated report by council’s parks and reserves manager for council Alison Banks was tabled, council agreed to support the proposal.

Waimate2gether project manager Peter Vendetti said the group was happy with council’s decision on the disc golf course, which is to be funded by Waimate2gether.

‘‘We look forward to going ahead with the project,’’ Vendetti said. He said they were now awaiting the $60,000 funding approval for the course from the Department of Internal Affairs.

Banks said, following council’s request for more information,

Waimate2gether engaged Wanakabased Vortica Disc Golf to review the proposed site and provide relevant information.

Vortica estimated between 500 and 1000 players from outside the region will visit Waimate specifically to play the new 18-basket design. He said very little maintenance would be required once the course was installed.

‘‘The installation of the course requires limited hand-pruning of some trees to open up fairways and make the greens accessible,’’ Banks said. Regarding environmental concerns, Vortica uses untreated wet 150 millimetres by 50mm heartwood macrocarpa for all tee-pad frames.

‘‘This ensures no chemicals leaching into surrounding soils.’’

It has been proposed a local disc golf club/society be formed to potentially take over ownership of the course hardware once installed, but certainly to perform the required maintenance.

The proposed design ensures that from each tee-pad enough of the path or roadway is visible to ensure safe play. Banks said players are always obligated to ensure other park users can never be hit with discs.

Some risks noted by the council included the group not receiving necessary funding to develop thecourse and the impact the activity may have on current, regular users.

‘‘However, this could be mitigated with appropriate signage, location of the course and informing the public when a large event is being held,’’ Banks said.

Another risk considered was if membership declined and the course was left to the council to manage and maintain.

Another risk was requests for unbudgeted maintenance work required by council when large events are held.