The disc golf courses at Nichols Park will be getting a major upgrade following a decision by the city council Tuesday night.
Council members unanimously approved $19,281 to be spent for baskets, tee signs and concrete tee pads for the course.
Course designer and game advocate Joshua Craig presented a photo showing the current layout for both a 42- and a nine-hole course at the park. The 42-hole course starts near the old bath house parking lot and runs around the entire park. The nine-hole course runs through a relatively flat area next to the Indian Nation Turnpike.
Craig has been working on the course for the past 12 years. He told the council that he has spent some $15,000 personally developing the courses. This is the first time he has requested funding help.
“I’ve ordered 25 sets of discs for a clinic that I will give when the weather warms up,” he told council members.
He told the council that a lot of people use the course as it is now. The improvements would qualify Henryetta for disc golf tournaments.
“This sounds like it draws people in,” said councilman Bill Goodner. “It keeps people active. There’s lots of people from Checotah in their 70s and 80s that play there,” he replied.
Funds for the project would come from the motel tax revenue. That is designed for tourism and parks.
Craig was also responsible for the Union Sportsmens Alliance members working on the park last year. He said the union is also planning to replace the flagpole at the park. It was damaged in a storm and had to be removed several months ago.