Watford City, ND | TheGleaner - 9/17/2020 03:55 Has that thing ever made money for all that the County of McKenzie and the City of Watford has given it as that 6 million would have been nice for Mckenzie's roads and bridges, as well, they suck.
The course has made money in the past, yes. We used to be a town of 1800 people and the 9 hole course was established, cost was steady and membership along with clubhouse revenue covered it. Now we're a town of 10,000 and its important to provide recreation to citizens. Its also important to have things like a golf course in trying to lure different companies to bring different types of jobs to our town, permanently. The golf course wasn't built until after our new hospital, high school, major renovations to the elementary school, significant housing and infrastructure projects, and probably 200 miles of newly paved roads along with countless rebuilt gravel roads. Our county has spent well over $800 million dollars on bridges and roads since 2010 alone, so it makes me laugh when people say things like that. On top of that, when you recieve state funds, certain dollars are allocated for certain things, ie, have to be spent on certain things. When comparing us to an eastern county, a vast majority of our roads see more heavy truck traffic in a week than yours do in a year. Roads breakdown.
TheGleaner - 9/17/2020 03:55 Also didn't stenjehm (Stenehjem) kick in something like 3 million for the building/restaurant/ Bar/place to park the golf carts? Someone was telling me that not that long ago.
No, they didn't. The clubhouse we have is nearly 20 years old and was built privately by members and donated labor. it was added on in 2010 or so.
The $3 million that the Stenehjem family did donate to the course was in the form of land. 85% of new course is built on land that they owned. With the market value of land at the time over $75,000 per acre so that figure is honestly a little low, in my opinion. There was also another gentleman, he and his wife owned the property on the north side of the new course and they also donated the land.
In 2017, the Stenehjem's and their business partners built a bank across the road from the course. That bank building has a restaurant in it, Stonehome Brewing Company, and there's golf cart parking. The development across the street is "golf cart friendly" and lots of us drive our carts over when the weather permits. First International Bank has several bank branches with restaurants in them - that way you get more use out of them. Instead of being open from 9-5 having other businesses in tends to work for them.
Disclosure - Six Shooters Corporation, that owns Stonehome Brewing Company, Outlaws Bar & Grill in Watford City & Williston, JL Beers in Watford City, Slow Ride (opening soon), Wild Cow Coffee Shop, Six Shooter Showhall (movie theater in WC), and Meadowlark Brewery (Sidney MT) are owned by the Stenehjems and Pelton families (my brother & SIL). |
Had a news paper misdelivered today, interesting article
