Merrittonians will soon have a new option for outdoor recreation with the installation of a disc golf course at Bench Park. 

Sky McKeown, Director of Recreation and Facilities, made a presentation to council regarding the location and the installation of the course, which will initially feature nine bases and five baskets. 

“If everything goes well, we’re looking at getting volunteers out this Saturday, volunteers and members of the newly formed Nicola Valley Disc Golf Association and we are looking at getting it up and running,” explained Sky McKeown. 

Also helping with the set up and technical aspects of the course will be a handful of National Champion disc golf players from Kamloops, who also assisted McKeown in selecting a location for Merritt’s course. 

Three possible locations around town were evaluated, with Bench Park being selected as the most suitable. 

“… the Bench Park with its natural settings would be the hands down most ideal spot for this disc golf location to be at,” said McKeown. 

Bench Park is located near Bench Elementary school, and is already home to a tennis court and a rink for floor hockey which is occasionally flooded in the winter to be used as an outdoor skating rink. 

McKeown said that there had been much interest in the sport in the community, and that he had received requests from people to have a course placed somewhere within the city.

“There’re a lot of people who have contacted the Recreation Department and a lot of people who have contacted me personally saying this is a great sport with minimal cost, minimal impact on the environment, so why are we not doing this in Merritt?” said McKeown. 

“And some opportunities came up to make something like that happen.” 

That opportunity came in the form of a generous cash donation from a filming company that recently spent a week in Merritt.

“In order for this project to come to fruition a donation was made by the filming company that came in and filmed The Good Doctor,” said McKeown.

“That company stepped up with a grant and we’re able to make some purchases against that grant to make this happen.” 

This donation will be used to cover the costs of signage and the rental of the installation equipment. Ongoing maintenance and cost is expected to be handled mainly by the Nicola Valley Disc Golf Association.

“… a substantial donation of time and sweat equity is involved,” reads the report to council. 

“The NVDGA will be putting out information on membership options and costs, the location of the five-hole course, and dates and times of the work parties needed to create and maintain the course.”

The burden on City employees is expected to be minimal, with the installation of just one additional trash can at the site which would fall under the City’s responsibilities for upkeep.

Houses surrounding the course are nine to 14 metres away from the fairway, and they are not likely to be impacted by the course or the discs. Large boulders will be placed to define a parking area, which will prevent any disruptions in local traffic or private driveways.  

“This has been one of the most under-utilized parks that the city has,” said City of Merritt CAO Sean Smith. 

Should an expanded course be decided upon in future, it could potentially be located in the North Bench development or elsewhere in town. The current location at Bench Park will allow for the installation of a nine-hole course, although there are currently only five baskets purchased. 

“With further fundraising, the group’s already chomping at the bit to get another four baskets ordered and have them in place,” said McKeown. 

Councillor Luck spoke on the subject, noting it was wonderful to see the collaboration between the City and community members, and to see them accomplish the establishment of the course. 

Luck questioned the cost of the baskets, which McKeown reported were in the ballpark of $2400 for all five, or roughly $480 per basket.

“It’s a real shame not to see it completed at nine, and I’d just like to volunteer to buy one of the four remaining baskets,” said Luck. 

“I’d love to see it filled out to nine, so I’ll volunteer to pay for one of the baskets.” 

A work party will meet at the park on June 26 to construct the course, with an opening date for play to be announced at a later date.