by Richard Uhlhorn
Chelan Parks Advisory Committee – August 20:
Parks Director Audrey Cooper and the advisory committee have been diligently working on the up and coming budget season for the parks department.
Discussed at length were proposed fees for the ball fields at Chelan Gorge Park. These parks continue to be used for baseball, softball, senior softball and soccer, mostly youth programs.
The fee structure has not been determined yet, but the parks department is on the budget meeting agenda where these potential fees will be provided to City Council for discussion and approval
One Wenatchee softball team has used the Chelan fields as their primary field and, according to Cooper they have said the Chelan field is critical to their team because it is central for teams from up north and in the Methow.
The Chelan Youth Baseball group has expressed a desire to have more tournaments take place in Chelan.
In addition, the Youth Soccer team has requested real turf when major changes are made at the park.
It was suggested that an ad hoc committee of local groups to discuss what needs to be done to address the parks needs.
Chairman Linda Reister stated that the park has accommodated 168 youth players that participated in the Chelan Youth Fast Pitch group this year.
Golf Course update:
The committee is also discussing its golf course fee policy. Cooper stated that she has been working closely with Golf Pro Jim Oscarson. “Our big focus is working on a new business plan,” Cooper said. It is going through an internal review process and will be presented to council in October.
A big subject for the golf course is its current irrigation issue. The department is trying to figure out what the energy savings per year would be if the irrigation is updated.
Management team:
The City has gone out with a RFP (Request for Proposals) for a potential management takeover of golf course operations.
This issue has become a hot topic on social media, mostly against the city even considering contracting with a management company to operate the course. The community has many concerns regarding contracting with a management company.
The City administration state that the request for proposals is merely a way to see how much it might cost. There is no plan at this time to remove the course from city management.
The department is also working on a new website for the golf course along with a marketing plan.
Cooper is also working on a six-year capital improvement program similar to what the Public Works Department has.
Advisory Board opening:
Todd Higley, Skydive Chelan, resigned his position on the board for new business reasons leaving a position open for individual interested in helping guide the parks department.
Economic outlook – 2026 season:
Chelan’s summer outlook was going extremely well. Once schools were out the parks were busy and the Lakeside RV Park was full. Unfortunately the Little Giant Fire, which began from a lighting strike high in the Entiat drainage eventually moved north. As it grew in size it pushed smoke into the Lake Chelan Valley killing the Valley’s largest economic month.
The Park’s department and its vendors (and downtown businesses) saw overall business drop by up to 50±%. The RV Park which, like the golf course, is the largest source of revenue for the department lost its major revenue sources for August.
All Things Lake Chelan 