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BREC to close Howell Golf Course

8 years 10 months 3 weeks ago Wednesday, November 18 2015 Nov 18, 2015 November 18, 2015 11:05 PM November 18, 2015 in News
Source: WBRZ

BATON ROUGE - The park commission approved closing the Howell Golf Course and re-opening the space as a traditional park.

The decision was made by BREC leaders Wednesday after three years of studies and discussions. In October 2012, BREC started to review courses following consistent deficits. There are seven public golf courses in EBR.

"This is not a decision that BREC takes lightly, and that is why we have moved in a deliberate manner to ensure that we have given residents the chance to weigh in on this decision," said BREC Superintendent Carolyn McKnight.

BREC said it surveyed people in the community and found most supported removing the golf course and creating a community park.

"Instead of a golf course which serves an average of 30 people per day, I prefer serving 3,000 with events, picnics, ball fields, fishing lakes, playgrounds and other amenities," McKnight said.

BREC has $2 million budgeted for the conversion. A master plan will be created and presented at the BREC meeting in December. In September, BREC offered proposals that include various amenities. Not all will be included in the first phase, BREC has said.

"We believe this new vision for Howell will create a thriving, active park for the entire community to enjoy and we remain committed to serving golfers through the creation of a practice area for putting and chipping," McKnight said.

Howell Golf Course will remain open and well-maintained until construction begins on the new enhanced community park amenities, BREC said in a statement.

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