Orillia is getting a second disc golf course - and its first featuring 18 holes.
At their budget meeting this week, city councillors agreed to tee up $15,000 to match the $15,000 contributed by the Orillia Disc Golf Association to create a new disc golf course at Tudhope Park.
“Disc golf is a very big sport and it’s something that’s growing,” said Ward 3 Coun. Mason Ainsworth, who noted the nine-hole course at Homewood Park is popular.
He said a second layout at Tudhope “would bring people and families to the park … and it’s another opportunity for people to be active.”
Coun. Ralph Cipolla and Coun. Pat Hehn both expressed concerns about golfers disrupting other users of the busy park on the shore of Lake Couchiching at the eastern edge of Orillia.
Ray Merkley, the city’s director of parks, recreation and culture, said staff had similar concerns.
“When we did the Tudhope Park Design Plan, it was considered, but it wasn’t included” due to those concerns, conceded Merkley. “We were looking for a more passive area.”
However, the Orillia Disc Golf Association came up with a layout to be situated in the most easterly portion of the park that is, generally, under-utilized.
“They held a couple of events out there and they feel there is a way we can put it in without being intrusive to the park or the trail system,” sad Merkley, who also had concerns about that area because it’s often quite wet in the spring.
However, that was not a concern for the local disc golf lovers.
Mayor Steve Clarke and Ainsworth participated in one of the association’s events last summer.
“It was terrific and it’s in a passive area of the park,” said Clarke. “They have put their money where their mouth is” and the plan deserves support.
Ainsworth agreed.
“It’s really exciting to see a community group come forward and say they have $15,000, put it forward … that’s the kind of thing we want to encourage,” Ainsworth said. “It’s phenomenal.”
In the end, his colleagues agreed.
Once the decision is ratified at Monday night’s meeting, city staff will work with the Orillia Disc Golf Association to create the course as early as this summer.
City councillors also agreed to invest $35,000 in improvements to the Orillia Rowing Club building at Tudhope Park.
A 2017 engineering report noted the building was in poor condition. Repairs to the roof, lintels and bricks are required and will be fixed this summer.
The Rowing Club is looking for a new home, but anticipates that may be five years down the road. With that in mind, council felt the investment was needed to keep the building viable until that happens.
