Adam Prudhomme
Beaver Staff
A new sport could be floating into Greater Napanee in the near future as town staff was given the go ahead to seek provincial funding for disc golf equipment.
Bethany Lessard, town of Greater Napanee’s community and corporate service’s youth programs and special events assistant, presented to town council last Tuesday. During that time she gave a broad overview of the sport and highlighting what the town would need to launch the new recreational activity.
“Picture a very condensed golf course with the greens being a metal basket for a heavier disc frisbee to fly into,” explains Lessard.
Essentially participants throw frisbees at a metal pole which is typically set up about an acre away from the starting line, though it can be much closer. Like regular golf, the object is to hit the target in as few throws as possible.
“The size of the course is dependant on how we want to move with the program,” said Lessard. “We would start with portable nets through the after school program which I run at three local elementary schools. We would like to give two nets to each school for the gym classes for the youth to use both in school and after school.”
An estimated $6,000 is needed to get it off the ground, which would be used to purchase mobile nets. Once enough interest is established, they could potentially look to form leagues and create a permanent course in town within a green space.
“It’s a sport for all ages, low skill level to high skill level,” added Lessard. “It can be used year round, indoors and outdoors.”
She added that it would be a great way to encourage residents to get outside and get active.
Council unanimously support the presentation and gave Lessard and town staff direction to seek provincial funding for the program.
They’ll revisit the idea at a later council date.