Jaycees to seek grants to improve mini golf.

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.

LUDINGTON — The Ludington Area Jaycees service club is attempting to seek a $45,000 recreation passport grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and a $10,000 grant from the Mason County Community Foundation for renovations at the mini golf course located at Stearns Park. The City of Ludington voted Monday at its regular meeting to act as the fiduciary agent for the Jaycees for both grants. 

The grant requires a 25 percent local match, which the Jaycees would provide.

The 18-hole mini golf course was established in 1967 by the Jaycees. Proceeds from the golf course support what the club calls community projects. However, funds are not used for events such as the Ludington Area Jaycees’ Freedom Festival Fourth of July celebration parade or fireworks.

An estimate of $23,752.21 was given from Adventure Golf Services of Traverse City for installation of new turf to the facility. City Manager John Shay noted, in a memo to city councilors, that the estimate sent to the council excluded other costs to the site, such as site work, lighting and landscaping.

Heather Catron, chairman of the Jaycees’ board, said, during a public hearing at an earlier meeting, that the costs given by Adventure Golf Services were discounted and that if that company were to do all the work, the cost would be over $100,000.

She said the service club has had success getting many of the construction items donated, such as sand and concrete.