LUSELAND — Luseland’s Bell Acres Golf Course will see more upgrades in 2022. Thanks to community support and generous donors, the course saw their nine-hole course converted to synthetic greens in 2021. The project was funded through donations and fundraising before the construction even started and resulted in the community golf course recording their busiest season ever in 2021.
The course was established in 1963 and the community of Luseland has been credited as founder of this recreation venue.
In addition to synthetic greens installation, some upgrades were undertaken at the course in 2021, which included clubhouse renovations and two golf carts available for rent. Clubhouse renovations included new flooring, new paint, new tables and chairs and new fridge and freezer. The bathroom addition is a continuation of last spring’s renovation project.
For 2022, the club executive is hoping an online fundraiser, initiated to replace significant funds formerly garnered from the annual “Bosses’ Night Out” event prior to the pandemic, will help initiate and complete a bathroom expansion on the clubhouse. Funds are also being raised to hydro-seed areas around each synthetic green to provide lush grass right up to the greens. The club also hopes to purchase an aerator for spring and fall work. They are also hoping to make improvements to the watering system to optimize water use and grass growth.
The clubhouse, a former one-room country school building, is the course’s most recognizable landmark along the highway.
All upgrades to the clubhouse have been completed by volunteer labour. For golf course maintenance, the executive has one paid staff member and starting in the spring of 2022, they will have one full-time staff and one casual staff to help take on new maintenance projects.
Magnus said the estimate for the 2022 upgrades are budgeted at $42,000 and will be primarily funded by the online auction fundraiser with the balance coming from golf club savings.
The online auction has received donations of 100 items, with bids coming in from across the province. Magnus says the items total $45,000 in retail value and the club has doubled their Facebook followers during the online event, which runs until midnight Feb. 12.
Magnus says they will have a "par-tee" with the community showcasing donors and community support. A donor wall will be unveiled for those who contributed to the synthetic greens improvement project, and the executive hopes to have a ribbon cutting once this year’s renovations are completed. The golf club executive commends the community for their continued support and say, “Thanks fore playing.”
Magnus adds, “The community of Luseland is always quick to support community initiatives like our projects at the golf course. Our community couldn’t have the great amenities without the volunteer labour, monetary donations and donated goods and services from local individuals and local businesses.
“Luseland is a community in the truest sense of the word. The golf course’s fundraising not only comes from the Luseland community but neighbouring communities as well.”
Volunteer executive members leading the golf course include: president Curtis Reschny, vice-president Justin Fischer, secretary-treasurer Ryley Magnus, Darrell Kraft, Ryan Reiber, Garett Fluney, Jason Thrun, Lyndon Kloster, Tyler Birn, Greg Cairns, Candice Kraft, Amanda Ternan, Zac Body, Ren Taylor and Luke Stang.
