Parks and Rec to rebuild bunkers

The Jamestown Parks and Recreation Board of Commissioners agreed to get bids on rebuilding a number of bunkers at Hillcrest Municipal Golf Course at Wednesday’s monthly meeting.

The bids will go out this season and may include some contractors who deal specifically with bunker construction.

Golf course superintendent Marlyn Bertsch wanted the new bunkers to be constructed with a liner layer that helps filter water to the sides and out instead of placing drain tile at the bottom of the sand.

“I just don’t want to do it over again,” Bertsch said. “I’ve been dealing with this crap forever.”

The bunkers that will receive estimates are on holes 1, 2, 5 and 14.

If the bids are approved, two liners would be installed, one on the floor of the bunker that would act as a drain, said Doug Hogan, Parks and Recreation director. Sediment would go on top of the flood liner, which would allow water to pass through while keeping sand intact.

This way the bunker couldn’t be contaminated with water through the bottom level, Hogan said.

Another impervious liner would go on top of the sediment, which would then be covered with sand. The top would still need to be shaped to keep water from accumulating in mass.

Bertsch said bunkers require the most maintenance on the course and are the most expensive to repair.

Estimates Bertsch obtained before, without liners, ran $4,100 and only included drain tile.

Hogan said even the type of and shape of sand used can make a significant difference.

“I just can’t see piddling away a pile of money on a quick fix we’re going to be mad about in a couple of more years,” Bertsch said about not installing liners.

In other news, Parks and Recreation went through one page of the long-term project list and focused on some projects that are the most urgent.

Those included draining field No. 2 at Hillcrest Softball Complex, obtaining a new sign for Wilson Arena, along with weather stripping, and updating the shower facilities at Jamestown Municipal Swimming Pool.

Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at 701-952-8455 or by email at brodgers@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, news, golf, recreation