The City of Airdrie is set to unveil its completed disc golf course at Fletcher Park later this week.
A press release from the City on Aug. 18 indicates municipality officials will be at the new course on Friday at noon for a photo opportunity, and to formerly open Airdrie's first disc golf course.
“On July 5, City council made a unanimous decision to support the Airdrie Disc Golf Association (ADGA) in setting up nine temporary disc golf holes in Fletcher Park,” the release stated. “The Parks department, along with volunteers from ADGA, constructed the course over the last few weeks and are happy to announce its official opening.”
A disc golf course was recommended in the sport field management plan released in 2019, according to Kevin Brinson, the City's team leader for the Parks department.
“We were able to join forces with ADGA and create a fun activity in existing park land at a nominal cost to taxpayers,” he said in the release.
Similar to traditional golf, disc golf involves throwing a specialized disc or frisbee into a chain basket, in as few throws as possible.
Airdrie's new course will likely be a popular amenity among residents, according to Tom Byrn, the president of the ADGA. In the City's release, he noted how disc golf is gaining popularity around the world, and that a disc golf course in Calgary had the third-highest usage statistics in North America last year.
“Because courses are usually in public parks, it’s very accessible to most people,” he said, adding the sport is also easy to learn and fun to play.
Disc golf usually has baskets that players throw the discs into to complete a hole. According to the City of Airdrie, he course at Fletcher Park will use tone poles – the hole is complete when a disc makes contact with the target area of a tone pole – for now, while the ADGA seeks funding to purchase and install proper baskets.
“We are happy to support this passionate association in setting up Airdrie’s first disc golf course,” said Mayor Peter Brown in the release. “Council would like to thank City administration for helping make this course a reality. It will encourage residents to be active while trying something new and enjoying our parks.”
Parks staff will be monitoring feedback to ensure that the course doesn’t interfere with existing park usage or properties surrounding the park, according to the City's release.
For more information about disc golf, visit airdrie.ca/discgolf
