Last year, the center for golfing operations at Bur-Mil Park was demolished due to its deterioration and dilapidation, but now the Guilford County Parks Department – once the Board of Commissioners approves the move on Thursday, Dec. 19 – will get a much-wished-for new golf operations building at the park at 5834 Bur-Mil Club Road.
The Guilford County Facilities Department estimates the cost for the entire project will come in at about $635,000.
That price is expected to cover the design and architectural work, the cost of labor and materials – the supply chain willing – and the purchase of furnishings and equipment needed there for operating the range and the course.
According to a description from county parks officials, “The proposed facility will function as a centralized hub, supporting the registration of golfers for the Par 3 course, managing driving range activities and facilitating golf ball distribution.”
Those operations used to be in a similar structure that was built in 1958; however, in 2023, it became clear to county parks staff that it was no longer worth putting money into that 60-plus-year-old building that needed extensive repairs.
Since the destruction of the old center, golf operations at the park have been run from a temporary modular structure that didn’t have enough space to comfortably register players, distribute golf balls or hold staff.
Parks Department officials say that the demand for the Par 3 course and the driving range at Bur-Mil have been increasing in recent years and now there’s “a pressing need for a modern, purpose-built facility.”
They also state that the new golf center will “enhance operational efficiency and significantly improve the visitor experience by providing a dedicated area for golfer check-ins, streamlined driving range services and a central administrative hub for golf activities.”
Though the project is only now getting funded, it has been included for some time in the Guilford County Parks, Trails and Open Space Comprehensive Master Plan.
Some of the money to build the new facility is being taken from other county parks projects that came in under budget.
Take a little of that money and give it to the keeping that special employee at the Animal Rescue Center (not exact name) that does such a good job of saving $$$ and animals lives. Let the taxpayers decide where to put their money; we have enough golf courses for awhile.
A big AMEN on that suggestion! And to those who throw their money away every week for worthless lottery tickets, how about making a monthly or weekly donations to a favorite animal rescue organization. Think of all the animals you will save.
Forget the golf building, put the money into that crappy par 3 course. The “greens” are so bumpy with clods of grass and weeds growing in them that putting is nearly impossible.
At $635,000 projected construction cost for the new building, one could build a 3000 sq ft home with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, kitchen and garage and have money left over. What are they building here, the Taj Mahal???
Why do our tax dollars prop up facilities that compete with the private sector? Subsidized sports for the well to do is ridiculous and shows where priorities lie……with the donor class. Sell the land and save on the upkeep.
The only other par 3 course for years was privately-owned Hilltop. It was long ago turned into apartments. Parks and recreation have long been a service provided by cities and counties. That has been a good thing for our citizens. The donor class belongs to country clubs. Bur-Mil is used by regular folks.
I’d love to see the financial cost \ benefit analysis on this expenditure. What is the expected ROI over what period of time?
All you need to maintain at a golf course are 18 holes and a caddy shack. Most people don’t play golf, so why does the taxpayer have to subsidize it?