While summer temperatures are affecting seasonal play at Lions Club Municipal Golf Course, managers of the facility are looking at ways to promote the municipal golf course to help draw more out-of-town visitors.
During an El Dorado Parks and Playgrounds Commission meeting Tuesday, Lions Club manager Danny Carelock reported that the golf course is in great playing shape.
“Revenue is down a little bit, but that’s contributed to the heat. It’s been so hot. It’s not because of the condition of the golf course,” Carelock said.
He asked if there was a way to use social media to promote the golf course.
“If we can get more exposed, so we can brag on ourselves a little bit and get more people from out of town, so they can see what we’ve got out there,” Carelock said.
He inquired about the city’s Go El Dorado website, and City Clerk Heather McVay said the site is maintained by the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce.
McVay also said she could post items, including videos, on the city’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
Carelock said someone had spoken to him about using a drone to collect video coverage.
“I wish I could do a before and after,” he said.
Within the past few years, commissioners and city officials have discussed the need to promote the municipal golf course to help boost play and revenue.
They have said that while the golf course is not intended to be a money-maker, attracting more players and activities can help the financials to at least break even.
Total revenue in April are outpacing those of May and June, according to a financial report provided by Carelock.
Cart rentals, green fees and other fees came to $25,464, compared to $24,416 in May and $20,079 through June 23.
Carelock and Lions Club co-manager Teri McCaskill noted that the annual El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament returned to Lions Club this year after having been hosted at another facility in the area.
“It was a great success. I hope the next time we can get the word out a little bit and get even more people from out of town,” he said.
“We really appreciate them bringing it back out there,” McCaskill said.
Carelock also reported that improvements are ongoing for two outdoor restrooms on the north end of the golf course.
He said new roofs have been installed; new, self-closing doors are in the works, and the buildings have been insulated.
A door for the restroom near Hole 14 has been ordered but has not arrived yet, he said.
“The water has been hooked up, and now we’ll have water year-round. Now, the problem is once you get in there, you can’t see what you’re doing,” Carelock joked, drawing a laugh from commissioners.
He said discussions are still under way about how best to address lighting for the restrooms.
Because running power to the two facilities would be an expensive endeavor, Robert Edmonds, director of public works, has said the city is looking into less costly alternatives, including solar panels.
“The walkers will be excited about it,” commission chairman Ken Goudy said, referring to the popular walking/running path that encircles the golf course, the Union County Fairgrounds and the El Dorado School District soccer fields.
Commissioner David Hurst suggested that the commission issue a public thank-you to El Dorado Chemical for continuing to donate fertilizer to Lions Club each year.
New Commissioner Brian Jones inquired about the value of the fertilizer, and Carelock said he didn’t know, but the donation is a win-win situation for the city and chemical company.
“It’s not the top-notch stuff you buy in the bag, but it works great for us. They need to dispose of it. They need to get rid of it because they can’t sell it,” Carelock said.
“But what’s the cost if you had to buy it?” Jones pressed.
“I couldn’t tell you, but it would be expensive,” Carelock said.
In other business, Goudy referred to complaints about breaches in the fence at the city’s dog park, an enclosed pet playscape on the south end of Mitchell Park, Bradley and West First.
Commissioner Alexis Alexander, who was unable to attend the meeting Tuesday, recently notified commissioners by email that she had received complaints about the matter, noting that one woman said she has called City Hall several times to no avail.
“She took zip ties out and ‘fixed’ the fence so her dogs could play,” Alexander wrote.
James Lewis, city parks and green space manager, said it was the first time he had heard the complaint and city crews have not been able to pinpoint the problem area.
“We go by there all the time, and nobody’s ever there, so there’s nobody to talk to,” Lewis said.
Hurst also asked if the brick retaining walls at Old City Park had been repaired, noting that visitors, mostly children, remove the bricks from the walls and stack them underneath tall playground equipment.
“We’ve already got it done, and so far it’s holding,” Lewis said.
With a new commissioner on board, McVay suggested that the commission conduct its annual tour and survey of city parks.
Goudy agreed, saying the group will schedule the tour once temperatures are cooler.
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or by email at tlyons@ eldoradonews.com.