County plans for future golf course
By
Ray Gomez
Story Created:
Nov 19, 2009
Story Updated:
Nov 19, 2009
Webb county officials spent the day shopping for property.
The space won't be used for a new county building; instead it will be the location for the new golf course officials have been talking about for some time.
One of 5 sites may soon be the ultimate destination for Laredo families looking to spend quality time together.
But county officials say their plan has to be solid and has to be about much more than just a golf course.
“The idea is to visit the sites so when they come to make presentations we'll have an idea of what they're talking about,” says Webb County Judge Danny Valdez.
Move over the county's coming in.
Webb county officials spending the day visiting Emerald River, one of five proposed site to be donated for the county's golf course project.
The county is seeking 200 acres ready to be transformed into a golfers paradise.
“I would like for them to pick a real good place where the golfers would really enjoy themselves.”
So it may take some imagination but soon people could be golfing on this property and county officials say the possibilities are endless.
“We’re mot just looking at a golf course site,” stated Ana Cavazos Ramirez, Webb County Attorney.
“We are looking at the possibilities of picnic sites soccer fields baseball fields areas where families can go.”
Ramirez says county officials also envision pavilions, maybe celebration halls on the property, because after all, the county will have to compete with the city's golf course already in the works.
Property owner’s say there's no doubt people will come.
“Tennis is tennis basketball is the same court golf courses are different and word gets around what golf course you have,” added Buddy Bruni, part owner of Emerald River.
Now they're just hoping the county is ready to invest.
“That’s something that quite frankly we're had just this week several meetings about the cost of what a new course would be for the county and taxpayers.”
Of the five sites, three are off mines road, one is on loop twenty near international and a fifth is already owned by the county, formerly the site of the detention center.
County officials say though it may take one or two years to get the project complete, it could cost somewhere between 6 and eight million dollars.
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cg said on Tuesday, Dec 1 at 10:32 AM
continued...I have heard many people proud to say they have lived almost their whole lives on foodstamps, welfare, housing etc.It's sad that they dont want to better their lives by getting a job because they dont want to lose their benefits. Use the money towards getting these people jobs or educations.
32901257cg said on Tuesday, Dec 1 at 10:28 AM
JC Justice you are right. What I meant by helping our people is the Laredo US citizens. They need to re examine the way they process peoples application for help. There should also make the people asking for help improve their lives by making them get a job or education so in the future they can live their lives without the governments help.
32900994JC Justus said on Tuesday, Dec 1 at 6:16 AM
This golf development is a "COUNTY" project not a "City" project! Nevertheless, it's a bad idea and a big waste of tax dollars! Quite frankly I'm tired of these kinds of projects, supporting the "Homeless" and "Mexican" Nationals who are draining away our tax dollars! My TAXES keep going UP and issues like these are the cause!
32890602Bellystomper said on Sunday, Nov 29 at 11:00 AM
Maybe the county can built public housing along each hole each with barbeque pits - does sound like paradise - county is trying to put a mark on the history books - spending taxpayers $ vs helping a handfull of 0 handicap golfers is mindboggling
32804954Outsider said on Friday, Nov 27 at 10:45 AM
This is to "AVID GOLFER", dude, not everyone plays that silly game, no one i know wastes time with that game. laredo has a golf course use that one, don't waste tax payer money on something only 1 person out of 10,000 people will use. as far as jobs, spend 10 million dollars to create 3 jobs what a waste and those jobs are not even "SKILLED" type jobs. GET REAL IDIOT!
32739804BELLYSTOMPER said on Wednesday, Nov 25 at 8:54 AM
Spending a million here and a million there - a billion here and a billion there - county just does not get it - send them along with the city on a world tour on our tab!
32654431Cg said on Tuesday, Nov 24 at 3:40 PM
What happent to the cameras they were going to install at the parks. Or did they pocket that money too?!
32619224BP said on Tuesday, Nov 24 at 3:12 PM
Walking Trails yes but I havent seen new Basketball courts, the city has improved the existing ones which is what they need to do to the existing golf course. As far as thugs tearing them apart, they might be the same thugs that tore up the Casa blanca Golf course. I agree golf is great and by all means take your child out to the golf course Im sure he/she would enjoy spending time you. The multimillion dollar football facility if you mean the SAC, wasn't that built by the school district?
32617284avid golfer said on Tuesday, Nov 24 at 1:11 PM
the city has put up several walking and basketball courts along the city...and thugs have managed to tear them apart already..they have even put up roofs over them..this is not just about golf....golf is a great sport, just like any other sport of YOUR CHOICE. not everyone plays football and we went ut out and built a multi milliondollar facility....give every child a chance and id like for my child to play in a nice golfing facility..shti maybe then well be noticed not just for budlight and cri
32608346I agree with Laredo doe said on Tuesday, Nov 24 at 12:21 PM
I’ve seen those fields and they do play in dirt, rocks, and animal excrements, yuk! Our kids are so computer and video game consumed which increased child diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure. The list goes on and on. And the few kids who do enjoy the outdoors and extracurricular activities have to play in horrible fields because our fellow Mercedes driving, D&G wearing Laredoans need to have their fun in the sun in a new golf course! What a joke!
32604809cg said on Monday, Nov 23 at 3:12 PM
BP you are right.
32555336BP said on Monday, Nov 23 at 12:56 PM
Sports are another way of bringing money to the city. The Parks and Rec in conjuction with the Boys and Girls club can host baseball, basketball and soccer tournaments. The Boys and Girls Clubs and Rec centers can use the money from the tourneys to fix their centers and build some more centers in other location in Laredo.
32546821BP said on Monday, Nov 23 at 12:47 PM
Why cant the city fix the current golf coarse and use the rest of the money to fix the soccer field, baseball fields and maybe add new basketball courts at the base . Kids are the ones that need places to play sports. Help the Boys and Girls clubs and city rec centers to add new facilities to take kids off the streets. Give the kids the tools they need to be productive citizens. I know that another golf coarse would be nice but the kids need the attention not the adults.
32546274ROCKY said on Monday, Nov 23 at 11:18 AM
Take me, take me, I am just laying here rocks hundreds of feet deep but about 3 trillion tons of dirt will cover me then I will be almost as good as what you have now.
32540694waste said on Monday, Nov 23 at 10:01 AM
its another excuse to put more money in thier pockets( smokescreen ) they need to spend this money on projects to help the unemployed and homeless.
32535981Teacher said on Sunday, Nov 22 at 12:11 PM
Umm...do our city and county leaders not realize that our nation is in the midst of an economic recession? People are losing jobs and homes. Who is going to have time to buy the expensive golf equipment needed to go golfing? They need to look around them NOW not project 20 years into the future. Many people are in crisis NOW.
32499889Laredo doe said on Saturday, Nov 21 at 11:45 PM
Why don't they just take care of what they have now? like the soccer parks at the base? Kids play in dirt and rocks and god knows what else. Take care of what is in exsistance!!!
32486051Acorn Member said on Saturday, Nov 21 at 9:17 PM
Just ask John Orfilla, he has keys to the place.
32481971Chato Zimmermann said on Saturday, Nov 21 at 9:15 PM
Another golf course? Golf is a rich man's sport. How about the county talk to the city. The city owns 1600 acres bought from the Molina Ranch that apparently is being used as a personal hunting lease for city officials. Is it not true the city has paid for and installed deer feeders at this location? Perhaps all the Chiefs could get togther and build the golf course on the hunting lease paid and bought with tax payer dollars? Only these privileged individuals will benefitand use a golf course.
32481881HOMELESS FIRST said on Friday, Nov 20 at 5:33 PM
NOTHING WILL BE BUILT UNLESS THERE IS A SOLUTION FOR THE HOMELESS. AND NO FREE MONEY FOR THE MEXICAN PEOPLE WITH ANCHOR CHILDREN THAT RECEIVE MOST OF THE FEDERAL MONEY CHANNELED THROUGH THE CITY OF LAREDO TEXAS.
32438879NotMyFlop said on Friday, Nov 20 at 5:09 PM
UnitedLonghorn - the current course is unsuitable for growing grass, it's a location issue, not a management issue (well, not 100%). The city needs quality public courses to attract industry, which would help the economy. When large companies consider moving to Laredo, they always ask, "What golf facilities are there?" They don't ask, "Uh, do you have a water park?"
32437616UnitedLonghorn said on Friday, Nov 20 at 4:49 PM
And what the hell do you expect man? Would you like for that money to be spent on ANOTHER golf course that will end up like the Casa Blanca Course knowing how incompetent our government is? I think not, that is why all you READ HERE is NEGATIVE COMMENTS. If the story was about the County deciding to stop the development of the new course and announcing a renovation to the current course that would bring it up to par with others then you would hear more positive comments. Think man, Think!
32436571Llorar y Llorar said on Friday, Nov 20 at 3:16 PM
Thats all the Laredoan do. Llorar, complain, hate, get drunk, and killings. Never can anyone get a positive comment. DAM
32430554Agree with cg said on Friday, Nov 20 at 2:24 PM
I agree with cg 100%. Avid Golfer, golf is a rich man's sport, so you must be one!!! Laredo has more middle class to poor population, face it!! And how the economy is at this time, I do not think Laredo will be spending their hard earned dollars golfing!!! That Golf Course is going to be for the Few Rich and Famous in Laredo, bottom line.
32427306UnitedLonghorn said on Friday, Nov 20 at 2:20 PM
Excuse the language Mr. Avid Golfer but F NO! They should spend money IMPROVING THE CURRENT COURSE, why make a new one if we all know that it will end up in ruins like the Casa Blanca one in three years, five years max?
32427036Agree with Avid Golfer said on Friday, Nov 20 at 1:55 PM
The hell with the ones that complain and lets move forward with this long due project of the GOLF COURSE. Anywhere where the course is going to be built is fine and all will benefit. Be smart Danny and you'll get my vote.
32425329cg said on Friday, Nov 20 at 12:15 PM
Im sorry but I spend plenty of time with my children. How many children do you see on the golf course? 0! Open your eyes to what is really needed in our community. We need to help our people, fix our streets. What benefit does a golf course give to real struggling Laredo citizens. Its not like Tiger Woods is gonna golf here. Come on be realistic. Maybe you should step out of your golf cloths and walk the poor neigborhoods of Laredo.
32418196avid golfer said on Friday, Nov 20 at 11:44 AM
you my friend have absolutely no idea what this city needs....sports and family recreation is exactly what this city needs. A better more improved golf course will not only provide more competion but more jobs..along with what the county is wanting to add..then maybe youll spend more time with your kids and less time on the computer ...complaining
32415781cg said on Friday, Nov 20 at 11:39 AM
sorry "BENEFIT"
32415346cg said on Friday, Nov 20 at 11:38 AM
I agree with outsider. Who are the ones that will actually use the golf course? I have yet to see flocks of Laredo citizens visit the golf course that is currently here. It is a waste of money and time. The money could be used for something that will beefit all Laredo Citizens, not just the rich.
32415286Outsider said on Friday, Nov 20 at 10:20 AM
Ya know, South Texas (Webb count & laredo) really know how to waste money. This area does not need a second golf course, water park, and such. If business thought it would be profitable to have that here they would be here. The County and City are both trying to find ways of wasing money. Money that could be spent better on things like a place for the homeless, better infrastructure, and other things. To me it looks like pockets are getting lined with tax payer money.
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