Grand Rapids is contemplating a significant enhancement to the Indian Trails Golf Course, with plans to construct an indoor golf and entertainment venue. The announcement considers maintaining the pre-existing golf course while introducing year-round offerings such as a high-tech driving range and indoor golf simulators. The proposed project at 2776 Kalamazoo Ave. SE encompasses the Indian Trails Golf Course, which boasts 9-hole and 18-hole setups, in addition to a driving range and putting green.
The initiative aims to establish a modern facility, envisioned as a two-story structure featuring private indoor and outdoor hitting bays. "We've got a reality that we're facing here. We are doing very well. We see continued revenue growth year over year," David Marquardt, the city's director of parks and recreation, told WOODTV. According to Marquardt, to fully benefit from the facility, it's vital to integrate a targeted real range where players could hit balls. The conceptualization calls for sliding glass doors and simulating game options to facilitate year-round gaming, incorporated seamlessly with a restaurant and bar to serve patrons.
Marquardt, in his presentation to the city commissioners, referred to PrairieFire Golf & Grill in Indiana for a tangible illustration of what the Grand Rapids facility might resemble. He outlined pricing strategies during the presentation, noting bay rental fees potentially ranging from $17 to $65 per hour. Currently, regional rates for golf range and simulator facilities fluctuate between $35-65 an hour. This proposal also suggests an incremental hike in golf round prices to an average of $29.55, up from last year's $28.13.
The parks director echoed the potential of this development as a regional tourist magnet, projecting a yearly 135,000 surge in visitors, which would "be beneficial for restaurants and other shops in the area," Second Ward Commissioner Milinda Ysasi mentioned in a statement obtained by MLive. Marquardt also delineated the economic ripple effect the facility could generate, estimating a $126 million local fiscal impact over a decade. Aside from potentially diversifying city revenues, revenue generated could assist in maintaining and updating the existing course infrastructure.
Yet, regardless of the plan's progress, Indian Trails is in need of infrastructure improvements, ranging from the clubhouse facilities to the parking lot. Marquardt highlighted this during a city commission meeting, stating, "Indian Trails still needs between $4 million to $10 million in infrastructure and facility upgrades just to maintain the park's existing facilities," as reported by MLive. In detailing the urgency, the need for expanded parking was flagged as a concern, with summer weekends often leading to overflows onto lawns.
Within the scope of these ambitious plans, the city is forecasting an increase in course revenues, imagining a jump from the current revenue of $1.3 million in 2025 to an operating net of $2.1 million with the entertainment center in place. Further deliberations and design explorations are expected to take place throughout the year, with an eye towards the anticipated 2028 opening, aligning with the 100-year anniversary of Indian Trails Golf Course, as stated in a discussion recorded by FOX17Online.
