By Randy Arrington
STANLEY — Disc golf is one of the most inexpensive and fastest-growing outdoor activities in the country right now, according to professional Nathan Hughes.
The coordinator of the Apple Valley Disc Golf Club in Winchester addressed the Stanley Council at the beginning of its March 9 meeting to promote the construction of a disc golf course in town. Hughes was prompted to give last week’s presentation by Page County High School teacher and three-sport coach Chad Fleming, who has been training with Hughes and formed a disc golf club at PCHS.
Before a formal proposal is brought back to the council, Hughes and Fleming were planning to visit potential sites for the course last Friday and then begin to consider specific costs. Last Wednesday’s presentation was simply meant to introduce the idea to members of council and give an overview of benefits of having such a facility.
One of the key attractions for the town, according to Hughes, would be to build a course that would attract tournaments to the area. Disc golf tournaments, on the right courses, could draw players from several hours away, according to Hughes.
“I’ve seen the [disc golf course] in Luray [at Ralph Dean Park] and they missed the mark,” Hughes told the Stanley Council. “It’s a basic course, and no one is going to travel for that.”
The Winchester resident said that two new courses were built recently in Shenandoah County at a cost of $30,000. The metal baskets that “catch” the disc at each hole can run between $300 to $350 each.
Town Manager Terry Pettit said that anticipated funds from Page Alliance for Community Action (PACA) could go toward the project. PACA funds helped add the new Splash Pad at Hawksbill Pool, and Pettit said this could be a project promoting physical activity that they would support with new funding available after July 1. In addition, Hughes said that many courses offer sponsorship opportunities at each hole, which can offset some of the costs.
With the idea still just an idea at this point, no decisions have been made on details such as location, how much space will be needed (9-hole course versus an 18-hole course), types of tee boxes (concrete or natural turf) and overall costs.
Once those details begin to come into focus, Hughes and Fleming will work with town staff and return to the council with a formal proposal.
In other business at its March 9 meeting, the Stanley Council took the following actions:
• Received a reminder about the Chamber’s Business After Hours that the Town is hosting from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 17 at Hawksbill Park.
• Received a reminder of the fourth annual Trout Day being held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 19 along the Hawksbill Creek at Hawksbill Park. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. for ages 12 and under.
• Heard a report that more than 80 veteran banners have been sold in the program being coordinated by Christie Baker. The banners will be hung along Main Street for the first time this Memorial Day.
• Heard a report on ARPA funds, with $391,517.05 spent to date, and $476,562.95 left this fiscal year. Another $800,000 is expected next fiscal year.
• Approved a contract with Anthem for health insurance for town employees, with an increase of $33 per employee per month.
• Received a reminder about a budget work session planned for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23.
• Received an update on the dog park project stating that the town’s application will go before the Page County Planning Commission later this month.
• Authorized Recreation Director Terri Beers to purchase 100 bath towels to sell at the Hawksbill Pool this swim season. The towels will have a town or park emblem/logo printed on them and sell for $20.
• Received a reminder of the upcoming Craft and Vendor Show with an Easter Egg Hunt from 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 9.
• Discussed the potential for a new pocket park on Karl Jenkins Avenue behind the new police headquarters.
• Received a reminder of a request to use Ed Good Park for a Relay For Life event on June 25.
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