Calgary disc golfers’ course in jeopardy

The City of Calgary isn’t going to renew a disc golf agreement to play on North Glenmore Park after it expires in Oct. 2022, and community members are fighting to keep it.

There is a 18-hole temporary disc golf course at the park, and it was installed on June 27, 2021 amid the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Disc golf communities are asking people in the community to reach out to their city councilors to repeal the motion to not renew the golf course.

Amber Chiasson, a professional disc golfer player and disc golf retailer, says the park has been great for the disc golf community, and that not having one will be a major blow to what they have available.

Chiasson also says that there is general confusion with casual and professional players alike on the space, saying that “it’s such a great area, there is tons of space in the Glenmore park for this course, and there is a lot of people advocating to keep it, so we’re hoping that the city hears us.”

“Because of COVID, the sport of disc golf has grown so much, and just because COVID is over, they haven’t quit – the disc golfers haven’t quit, and the sport is only growing,” Chiasson said.

“The courses that we have now are great, but those courses are being really run down by the amount of traffic through them, so having Glenmore park is a relief from those other parks is really quite helpful.”

Chiasson says that there are plenty of new demographics that have sprouted since the park opened up to disc golf.

“You don’t have to be an athletic person to play disc golf, which is great. It’s so inclusive, it’s been a very positive experience for me, and I hope it does [for] everyone else as well,” Chiasson said.

She said that people in the area both love it and have problems with the course, but the reason for the lack of renewal is the city wishes to make the space a multi-use space.

City of Calgary says space was meant to be temporary

The city said that the disc golf course was built temporarily to “provide people with additional outdoor recreational options during the pandemic.”

Kayla Lagran with the City of Calgary said that the course was meant to be temporary, with an understanding that those involved knew the course would be temporary.

“A temporary agreement was signed until October 2022 and was communicated to the community to ensure there was an understanding installing an amenity in the park without engagement was a temporary solution to the issues the pandemic was presenting Calgarians,” Lagran said in a statement.

“While the pandemic isn’t over, people have largely gone back to other activities such as travel and organized sports. With restrictions lifted the pressure we have seen on our Parks system has alleviated and these temporary measures are not required in the way they once were.”

The gravel to support disc golf play costs the city $500, with no additional cost for labour. The city assisted with the project while volunteers and Calgary Disc Golf members did the rest.

Chiasson says that the loss will impact disc golf players with “wait times on the tee pads, almost too many people on the course, which can be dangerous.”

“The more spread out we are, the quicker we can get around in, the safer it is for beginners and older players as well. To look for more space in the city, and there really isn’t a lot of green space to work with,” Chiasson said.

There are four Calgary disc courses, Currie Reservoir, Baker Park, Forest Lawn, and David Richardson Memorial Disc Golf Park, which is being renovated right now. There are four temporary locations, with North Glenmore, Big Marlborough Park, Lindsey Park, and Stanley Park.

There are no plans for the equipment from North Glenmore Park to be moved elsewhere in Calgary, according to Lagran, with the city saying that the space will return to a green space.

“We [will] continue to work with the Calgary Disc Golf Club is looking for suitable long-term locations so that Calgarians can continue to enjoy this sport,” Lagran said.

– With files from Tate Laycraft