Disc golf devotees are hoping their plan for a new course in North Vancouver hits the mark.
At a meeting on Oct. 7, council voted unanimously to have staff explore options for building a new primary-use disc golf space in the District of North Vancouver – but not until an upcoming report on priorities from the local recreation commission is received.
Before they discussed the issue, a delegation was presented to council on why the municipality is an ideal location for a new course.
During a slideshow titled “The Future of Fun on the North Shore,” co-presenter Tobias Jesso – father of Grammy-award winner Tobias Jesso Jr. – noted that Finland has been voted the happiest place on earth seven years in a row.
“Finland has also the highest number of disc golf courses per capita,” he said.
Jesso and Darren Butler from the North Shore Disc Golf Association pitched the activity as fun and easy for anyone to play.
“I’ve played many sports, but not a lot with my family,” Jesso said. “But with disc golf, I got everybody out, from the grandchildren to myself.
“It’s just an accessible, easy sport for a family to learn and do right off the get go, and to have a facility in the district … is a win-win for everybody,” he said.
Other public courses on the North Shore, at Eastview Park and Rockridge Secondary, are at capacity, Jesso said.
“There’s a lot of play in those areas, and so we think there’s a need for a much larger venue and better course on the North Shore,” he added.
Disc golf's accessibility and low-cost make it an attractive option, council says
Coun. Jordan Back, who brought the motion to council, said he was introduced to the sport several months ago by neighbours who play regularly with their kids.
Back said the sport appeals to him because of the wide demographics that can play, its relatively low cost compared to other sports, and the idea that courses can be built with fairly minimal disturbance to natural areas.
“An investment in disc golf could be a relatively small investment compared to some of the larger pieces of sport infrastructure that we look to build in the district,” he said. “And I think it really does align with the district’s vision of being a vibrant, healthy and inclusive community for all of its residents.”
But Back pointed out that a needs assessment report is incoming in the next couple of months from the North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission, and that any decision about a new disc golf space should be informed by that report. The rest of council agreed to an amendment to that effect.
Coun. Lisa Muri cautioned that a new course could draw in visitors from other municipalities in Metro Vancouver.
“Burnaby, for instance, is one of the fastest growing municipalities in the region … a lot of the people from Vancouver cross the bridge and come specifically into Lynn Valley or Seymour to recreate,” she said. “We have a lot of pressure and a lot of cost to maintain mountain bike trails, for instance.”
Mayor Mike Little said that a disc golf course could be in line with the district’s motto of wanting be a safe, compassionate, family-friendly municipality with a close connection to nature.
“The barrier-free aspect of it, that you can keep at low cost, is something that definitely attracts me to this is an option,” he said.
Little also acknowledged that the disc golf delegates said that they would help fundraise for and maintain a new course.
“Anything that we can do to multiply what can be done through volunteer work, that’s something we’re very interested in,” he said.
