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Denver plans $1.7 million miniature golf course

36-hole operation at Overland won't be 'cheesy' venue

Daniel J. Chacon, Rocky Mountain News

Published February 20, 2007 at midnight

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Denver is taking a shot at the miniature golf business.

The city is planning to spend more than $1.7 million to build a "glitzy" 36-hole miniature golf course and clubhouse across the street from the Overland Golf Course in south-central Denver.

The new course, to be built on the old Aqua Golf site at 501 W. Florida Ave., will include stone waterfalls, a fountain and a driving range, said project manager Kay Krebs, a senior city engineer.

"It's going to be cool," Krebs said. "It'll go with Denver."

The City Council will decide tonight whether to approve the construction contract on first reading.

A council committee endorsed the proposal Feb. 6.

The money for the project will come from revenues generated by the city's Golf Department, which manages seven golf courses, and a multimillion-dollar golf bond issued about two years ago.

"There's no hit on the general fund," said Councilwoman Kathleen MacKenzie, whose district includes the proposed golf course. "I'm confident that there won't be any impact on other city services because of this. In fact, it will enhance the golf amenities that are available to our residents and others in the metro area."

Revenue projections were unavailable, but the company that designed the golf course says some new courses generate more than $300,000 a year.

Denver has already invested more than $600,000 in the project.

Last year, the city approved a $501,000 design contract with New Jersey-based Harris Miniature Golf Courses Inc., which has been in business more than 30 years.

Krebs said the city also spent about $100,000 to demolish Aqua Golf, a dilapidated miniature golf course owned by the city and operated by a concessionaire.

The new golf course, which is adjacent to Overland Lake, will be operated by the city. Don't expect "phony windmills," Krebs said. "It's not going to be cheesy."

If the City Council approves the construction contract, work would begin as early as March and the golf course would be open by fall.

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