Major renovations to Ryder Park are among items proposed in the Grand Island Parks and Recreation budget for the upcoming fiscal year, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND – The Grand Island Parks and Recreation Department, Jackrabbit Run Golf Course, and Heartland Public Shooting Park presented budget proposals to Grand Island’s City Council Aug. 20 in the evening.
For the Parks and Recreation Department, Director Todd McCoy outlined expense categories in personnel, operation and capital.
Major capital projects are Ashley Park backstop area and drainage improvements ($295,000), Eagle Scout Trail Renovation ($900,000), Ryder Field renovations ($3.5 million), Skate Park Renovation ($900,000), Stolley Park train area development ($2,250,000), and Stolley Park parking and roads improvement ($750,000).
Personnel services are projected to increase 6.5 percent, McCoy wrote. Total personnel services are $3,588,148. The Parks and Recreation Department requested 1.0 FTE additional parks maintenance worker this year. Operating expenses are proposed to increase by 3.6 percent which includes an additional $22,000 budgeted this year for upkeep at Camp Augustine. Operating expenses total is $1,358,509. These numbers do not include the budget for Jackrabbit Run Golf Course or Heartland Public Shooting Park.
For Jackrabbit Run Golf Course (managed for the city by Landscapes Golf Management), golf outing prices are proposed to increase by 10 percent. “This increase keeps us inline or below our market competitors,” according to the presentation text. “Weekends” would be redefined as Friday-Sunday for pricing.
For Jackrabbit Run Golf Course for “FY2024 Trend,” total rounds of golf played is 27,135, compared to 27,017 in FY2023. Revenue was $925,277 in FY 2023, compared to $1,084,849 in FY 2024, a 17.2 percent increase. Gross Profit was $825,233 in FY2023, compared to $956,204 in FY2024, a 15.9 percent increase. Expenses were $854,842 in FY2023, compared to $937,131 in FY 2024, a 9.6 percent increase.
Proposed on-course improvements for FY2025 are to continue tree removal/planting ($45,000), renovate the lake on Hole No. 4 ($130,000), construct a concrete pad and repair multiple cart paths on the course ($18,000), range ball dispenser ($17,000), and mats for the driving range ($19,000).
Hornady Manufacturing manages Heartland Public Shooting Park for the city. In FY2023, total revenue for Heartland Public Shooting Park was $377,477. Total expenses and capital were $701,129. Total cashflow loss in 2023 was $339,652. Having Hornady Manufacturing operating Heartland Public Shooting Park saves the city approximately $340,000 per year.
Heartland Public Shooting Park is a destination location for shooting sports in Nebraska and the region and hosts several national level events each year. A goal is to enhance the previously neglected aesthetics as well as the function of the park. First, user safety needs to be ensured, and participant experience needs to be elevated. Safety concerns that need to be addressed are water-damaged trap/skeet controllers and electrical wiring. Electrical repairs will enable the park to attract more customers for “registered shoots” from around the country.
A capital project request is for $195,984 for door structures, electrical repair, and low voltage storage box projects.
There is a building on the property referred to as a “house” which is used to house match directors during daily operation of meets. There is a request of $100,000 to repair the building. There is also a budget request for $50,000 to expand the bay.
The presentation includes statistics on the 4-H Shooting Sports event that was June 23 to June 28, 2024. There were 2,100 to 3,500 attendees. Estimated total business sales for the city of Grand Island were $2,294,740. This includes lodging, transportation, foot, retail, recreation, space rental, and business services. In the last 12 months, there have been 47,100 visits at Heartland Public Shooting Park, according to Bred Mellema with Grand Island Tourism.