A major infrastructure project is about to break ground at the Kindersley Regional Park Golf Course. The purchase of a state-of-the-art irrigation system was announced in the spring prior to the course opening, and that equipment is rolling in with the end of the season nearing.
Related Stories:
- Support rolling in for Kindersley Regional Park Golf Course irrigation project
- Kindersley golf course moving along with irrigation project
The physical work is one thing, but a project this big comes with just the cost.
Total estimates bring the total cost past half a million dollars, with the most recent shipment of equipment coming in at $160,000 alone.
Chairperson for the KRPA (Kindersley Regional Park Authority), Randy Ervine, is one person behind the fundraising efforts, and gave an update on the project with things finally moving forward.
"Most of the equipment has arrived," said Ervine, sharing a potential start date of early October with the hired crew still on another job. "We are just continuing to try and fundraise and get as many people involved with this as we can, as far as donations go."
Ervine wanted to refresh the public on the different fundraising options available: debentures, and cash donations. The latter is the easier way to donate out of the two, but Ervine wanted to clarify a few things about the former, debentures actually being a way to earn some money back.
With debentures being a great option to help both sides out, albeit at a minimum fixed cost, Ervine wanted to clarify a few questions surrounding that donation method after hearing people may have been scared off by a minimum four figure donation.
"There was some misconception a little earlier in what we were hoping people would consider. The $1000 start was more for the debenture aspect. That's where after five years, you can ask for your money, your principle, or principle plus the interest, or just the interest, whatever you want... In the past people have just donated it back to the Regional Park."
Ervine and his fellow board members felt debentures were a good way to get some solid money in the bank but wants to assure people they don't need to be forking out a four-digit donation as a minimum.
"It's different than the cash donation... We are happy with anything anybody wants to donate, and with those you get a tax-deductible receipt (through the Town of Kindersley)."
While the support so far has been good, Ervine wanted to reach out just in case there was any misconceptions about their ask.
"I wasn't aware until I had a few people in town ask me about it."
The cash donations have been going well, a few large sums coming from unexpected sources that don't typically use the golf course.
With the work almost ready to begin, Ervine put a call out to the golf course members who may not have donated.
"We are still really working at our members. There are a lot of people that utilize the course, and we are still looking for them, and a lot of them are contemplating it and haven't pulled the trigger yet... but with the cost... we are really hoping people will get on board with this project."
Previous donations, including a sizeable donation from the RM of Kindersley, have helped out tremendously, but the project still sits only about a quarter funded in comparison to its $500,000 price tag.
"Maybe a third, but there is definitely a lot of probable contributions to this project that we haven't seen yet... but expect it."
Ervine said that the money is going towards not only improving the golf course for years to come, but also to better the town's recreation portfolio. He sees the course as no different from any town facility and wants people to understand the gravity of the work that's coming.
"The quality of this equipment will outlast the previous system that is 35 years old, roughly. The equipment has come so far that when you go look at this piping that has already been delivered, we shouldn't have to do this for a long time. It's an investment in the community, and it's another facility like our ballparks, swimming pools, arenas... will make it so much nicer."
Ervine finished by confirming there is still lots of time to help with the fundraising continuing through the winter.
"No deadline as to when the fundraising will cease."
Anyone interested in helping out can contact Randy at 306-463-4041, or email rervine@hotmail.com for more information.