Three Rivers council approves disc golf course development for Georgetown
THREE RIVERS, P.E.I. – A nine-hole disc golf course has been given the go-ahead to be built in Georgetown.
At a Sept. 13 council meeting, Three Rivers council approved a development permit for the new course to be built on municipal-owned land on Burnt Point Road.
Just like its namesake, disc golf operates like a traditional game of golf, but instead of players putting balls into holes, they toss Frisbee-like discs toward metal baskets while navigating obstacles such as trees.
“Interest in disc golf has grown recently,” said Cathleen MacKinnon, recreation and events co-ordinator for Three Rivers. “When we started looking into recreational activities to bring to the area, it seemed like a good choice. It is also a low maintenance sport that would take the least amount of work to get started.”
The course will be built on a wellfield which has an old remote-controlled car track located on it. MacKinnon said the municipality has been maintaining the land despite it not being used. The baskets for the course were bought last year with surplus budget money, and the cost for development was included in this year’s budget.
“We think it will make a great addition to our greenspaces out there,” she said. “We’re hoping it will bring more interest and attention to the Georgetown area. Having the course there will get more people visiting the community.”
Adding a new course will also help grow the existing disc golf community in eastern P.E.I., said Jacob Smith, executive director of Eastern Region Sports and Recreation Council.
“There is a growing community out east for sure. There is definitely some players in the area, but as more courses start to pop up in eastern P.E.I., it will definitely start to pick up,” he said.
Smith, who also runs Island Disc Golf Company, said he hosts tryout events to introduce people to the sport. Over the past two years, he said participant numbers have steadily increased.
“It’s an easy sport to get better at,” said Smith. “It really doesn’t take long to pick it up and progress in, but just like everything else it’s hard to master. But it’s easy to get into, it’s welcoming and there are lots of recreational tournaments to join.”
At a glance
While disc golf is still growing in P.E.I., there are several disc golf courses set up throughout the province, including:
- Hillcrest Farm in Bonshaw – 18 holes
- Huck it Disc Golf in Kinkora – 18 holds
- Mill River Resort – nine-hole
- Rose Valley DGC – 18-hole
As for the new course in Georgetown, Smith said it will be a welcome addition to the Island’s short list of courses.
“People are always looking for new courses to play, and they don’t mind travelling for it, too,” he said. “I’m excited to be able to hold clinics and workshops at the course, too. I think it will definitely help grow the existing community and introduce beginners to the sport.”
The course’s approval came with a few stipulations, including the installation of a grass parking lot, a site distance evaluation to be done by the province and that all posts for the nets are easily removable if the course needs to move or be expanded on.
MacKinnon said currently there is no timeline on when the course will be built, as the municipality is waiting on the province for the site evaluation.
Cody McEachern is a reporter with the SaltWire Network in Prince Edward Island.
