For Immediate Release
April 9, 2003
Contact: Rusty Cheuvront -- 502-564-2611
Jim Carroll, Dept. of Parks – 502-564-8110, ext. 307
Note
to Editors: More details, including images, of the new golf courses, may be
found at the following web address: http://www.kystateparks.com/newcourses/
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Paul Patton announced today that the Department of Parks will move “full speed ahead” to open six new state park golf courses for play this summer.
Construction on the six courses began after the 1998 General Assembly authorized $23.5 million for their development. These courses are nearly complete except for support facilities and equipment, such as parking lots, pro shops, and golf carts. Subsequently, the 2000 General Assembly provided an additional $4.5 million.
“To invest this much money only to have the courses lie dormant and not create revenue didn’t make sense,” Gov. Patton said. “Not only will this allow Kentucky to begin getting a return on its investment, but it will also bring jobs and other economic development opportunities to local communities.”
The courses are situated at Grayson Lake State Park, Yatesville Lake State Park, Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Mineral Mound State Park, Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park and Kincaid Lake State Park.
The 2003 General Assembly set aside $1.1 million for “custodial maintenance” – basically keeping the courses mowed and irrigated. But the legislature also directed the Department of Parks to sell bonds to make the courses playable if it was found cost-effective to do so.
In his announcement today, Gov. Patton said that the state would sell bonds totaling $4.5 million to open the courses with temporary facilities. New 18-hole courses are being built at Grayson Lake, Yatesville Lake, Dale Hollow Lake, and Mineral Mound. An existing 9-hole course at Pennyrile Forest State is being expanded to 18 holes, while Kincaid Lake will get a new 9-hole course.
The Department of Parks asked the University of Kentucky Center for Business and Economic Research to review a department cost-benefit analysis. UK affirmed the department’s conclusion that applying the $1.1 million maintenance allocation plus the revenues from opening the courses would pay for the operation of the courses plus meet the debt service on a $4.5 million bond issue.
“It
just makes good business sense to finish these courses and open them for
play,” Governor Patton said. He noted that the new 18-hole course at Pine
Mountain State Resort Park resulted in a $1.6 million increase in visitor
spending.
Tourism Secretary Ann Latta said that the courses would bring substantial tourism revenue into the state, and to the host parks. “Golf is our third-leading revenue producer,” she said, “behind lodging and dining.”
July 1 is the target date for the six courses to be open for play.
Gov.
Patton noted that an additional $12.8 million allocation will be needed in a
future General Assembly session to complete development of the courses with
permanent facilities.
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