Henderson golfers in favor of proposed municipal course

Greg Harman

Thursday, April 27, 2000 | 10:10 a.m.

Golfers in Henderson would love to see a municipal golf course built -- oh, and make that with illuminated practice range, use of mountain terrain, possibly some wetlands, and don't forget good food. Work around the fact it would be built on an abandoned solid waste landfill.

About 15 Henderson golfers met with parks and recreation officials and consultants Wednesday at the Black Mountain Recreation Center to discuss what they would like to see included in a municipal golf course proposed to be built atop the 140-acre solid waste landfill off Lake Mead Drive east of the city.

Top on their list: low cost and preferences for Henderson golfers.

But one resident suggested that tourists should not be taken advantage of.

"I'm aghast at how this community handles tourists," said resident Mark Bradley of the high price of golf for tourists compared with the rates charged locals. "Why does golf do that to people? And why do we want to do that to people?"

But most in the room agreed that Henderson residents should benefit from lower rates at a municipal course and be offered more flexible tee times.

"Use 'em. Don't abuse 'em," Bradley conceded after some discussion.

When questions concerning public safety and the landfill were raised, John Rinaldi, properties manager for the city's public works department, discussed them briefly.

But he reminded the group that Wednesday's meeting was geared toward understanding local demand for a municipal course. Issues concerning the landfill will be addressed at future meetings, he said.

In a private interview, Rinaldi said that a study of the landfill, known as an Engineering Evaluation/Cost Allowance, has been completed by the city and found no evidence that local industrial plants, which are responsible for the contamination of nearby land, used the solid waste landfill.

Although some methane gas has been detected in the landfill, no ground water contamination has been found, he said.

The city is preparing a proposal to cap the landfill with either a plastic liner or layers of clay or earth, but has not settled on what method it will use.

When finalized, that proposal will be sent to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection for approval, possibly in June, Rinaldi said.

With or without a golf course nestled on top, the former landfill site -- originally owned by the federal Bureau of Land Management -- must be remediated by the city, Rinaldi said.