Approximately 20 years ago the Blaine County Recreation District set about connecting the valley through a valley wide trail system. Today, the Wood River Trail system connects the valley through 22 miles of paved pathways. Once again the Recreation District is making strides to connect the community through a pioneering recreation project.
"You can almost think of (the golf course) as breaking down social barriers because it will be affordable," Wally Morgus, the Recreation District's Quigley Project Director, stated.
Morgus heads the effort to establish an affordable 18-hole golf course and Nordic trail system on 212 acres of land in Quigley Canyon Ranch property East of Hailey.
"It's a lot more than a golf course. As the valley grows, the Rec District wants to continue the tradition of providing affordable recreation," Morgus said.
In 2004, the Recreation District entered into an agreement with the developers of the property, Judd Associates LLC and Stoney Burke, to acquire the land at no cost. The development, including the golf course, recently applied for annexation from the City of Hailey.
"There is not much land in the county that can accommodate a golf course. This is one of the needs we have identified in the valley—a need that has just gotten stronger," Morgus said.
The Quigley Project Action Committee, known as QPAC guides the efforts. The twenty-member committee recently divided into nine sub-committees to better address issues arising from the development. The sub-committees explore issues such as neighborhood traffic, wildlife impact and winter recreation.
Foremost on the committee's agenda is exploring the feasibility of raising funds to build the golf course. The project pioneers recreation efforts, hedging on building a public golf course with private money.
"We need to know if it is feasible to raise 8 million dollars," Morgus commented.
The Board recently instructed the committee to continue to interview consultants able to perform fundraising feasibility studies.
"We believe in the philanthropic generosity of this community to make this happen. This is a big one, but we are optimistic," Morgus said.
If constructed debt free, the golf course will then act as an endowment for the Recreation District. Revenue generated from golf will generate money for the district's youth and other programs.
"It really is much more than a golf course," Al Stevenson, Rec District board member, said.
The preliminary routing plan for the golf course shows a high caliber and family friendly course. The course, designed by architect John Harbottle of Tacoma, Washington provides tees for kids on every hole.
"There is no reason to believe we can't have a thriving youth program," Morgus remarked.
The Rec District hopes the youth program will be one of many programs enhanced by an affordable golf course.
