Golf Course Irrigation and Turf Reduction

Introduction
The Golf Course Irrigation and Turf Reduction Project at the Coronado Municipal Golf Course focuses on replacing the existing outdated irrigation system and considering a reduction in the overall turf footprint. This project differs from the Satellite Water Recycling Facility project, which is currently on hold.
The current irrigation system was installed in 1957 and is well beyond the normal life span. The current design of the system does not have mainline isolation valves, which would require a complete shutdown of the entire irrigation system for any mainline breaks. Additionally, the system is inefficient in its design and requires significant labor costs for hand watering areas not covered by the irrigation system.
This project, with an anticipated cost of up to $9 million, will improve water distribution and potentially reduce consumption by up to 20%, while also providing better water coverage for greater turf growth. The increase in efficiency helps to mitigate rising water costs and addresses the risk of a potentially reduced water supply. Additionally, modernizing the equipment and infrastructure will minimize the need for frequent repairs and lower labor costs associated with manually watering areas not covered by the outdated system.
The project also considers a turf reduction concept, which would decrease the total acreage of irrigated and maintained turf. Currently, approximately 115 acres of turf requires irrigation. The proposal is to convert about 23 acres of "out of play" areas to a hard sand landscape, featuring a sparse coastal plant palette, with an aesthetic similar to waste areas at Monterey Peninsula Country Club. There would be little visual impact from tee to green but would reduce water consumption by up to 20%. This proposal is designed to maintain the current level of difficulty and pace of play for golfers while keeping the overall parkland style of the golf course.
The City is exploring funding options for the project, including the possibility of an inter-fund loan from the General Fund, should the cost exceed the existing Golf Enterprise Fund balance. Overall, this project is expected to enhance the quality of the course while promoting fiscal and environmental sustainability, ensuring it remains a valuable public resource for years to come.
Timeline / Next Steps
October 24, 3:00pm – Golf Course Advisory Committee Meeting (Turf Reduction Concept Workshop)
On October 24 at 3:00pm, the City will host a Golf Course Advisory Committee Meeting in the Nautilus Room at the Coronado Community Center to receive community input and feedback on the proposed turf reduction design concept. This design is available for viewing online and will also be posted in the lobby of the Coronado Golf Course. Public participation is encouraged to ensure the project meets community expectations while achieving its environmental goals. Feedback can be submitted in person at the workshop, online below, by comment card in the lobby of the Coronado Golf Course, or by email to the project email address at golfcourse@coronado.ca.us until December 31, 2024.
A high resolution pdf of this image is in the "Documents and Presentations" section to the right.