WSU adjusting golf course plans

Thu., March 23, 2006

The Spokesman-Review

Washington State University is scaling back plans for a new 18-hole golf course, after bids on the project all came in well over budget, the school said Wednesday.

But school officials said the new course would still be built on the original parameters: an $8.4 million budget and a two-year construction, beginning this summer.

“We’re convinced we can still build a course to the standards we want,” said Mel Taylor, director of special projects for WSU’s Office of Business Affairs.

WSU plans to replace its nine-hole course.

The lowest bid received last week was almost 20 percent over budget, Taylor said.

Officials are now considering how to change the project to bring it in at the original budget.

The biggest reason for the increase was outside economic factors such as fuel prices, which drove up the cost of earth-moving work significantly, Taylor said.

The course will be closed this summer for the construction.

The project funding is coming from fundraising and borrowing against future golf course revenues, the university said.

Carrousel opening delayed

The season opening of Spokane’s 1909 Looff Carrousel in Riverfront Park has been delayed because the ride’s main electric drive motor failed over the winter and is being custom-rebuilt.

The ride was supposed to reopen for the season on March 10 before the mechanical difficulties were encountered, said Park Director Craig Butz in a press release. He did not give a date for an expected opening.

The popular ride was closed last winter for annual maintenance, which included retooling of a central “bull gear,” replacement of crankshafts and maintenance on the ride’s wooden animal figures.

Spokane’s Looff Carrousel dates to 1909 and is rated as one of the top five carousels in the country by the National Carousel Association.

It is on the National Historic Register.

Infant critically injured in crash

A 4-month-old suffered severe head injuries Monday morning in a three-car crash near downtown Spokane.

Spokane police are investigating the crash, as well as whether child restraints were used properly, said spokesman Sgt. Dave McCabe.

The collision occurred around 11:10 a.m. at 300 N. Freya, McCabe said. The driver of a 2001 Honda Accord rear-ended a minivan stopped in traffic, which then hit a sedan.

A woman and three small children were in the Honda, McCabe said.

The infant was in a child safety seat in the front seat.

The infant was in critical condition on Wednesday at an area hospital, McCabe said.

The other children in the car had minor injuries.

Compiled from staff reports

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