Castlegar area disc golf course project inches forward
Published 1:00 pm Friday, September 25, 2026
A disc golf course for the Castlegar area is moving forward, but there are still a number of hurdles to cross before construction can begin.
After a proposed plan to build a disc golf course at Kinnaird Park was scrapped following reports of screech owl sightings in 2020-2023, the Kootenay Rockies Disc Golf Society turned to the Regional District of Central Kootenay with a proposal to build in Pass Creek Park.
The matter was sent to the Castlegar and District Recreation Commission who backed the idea of a 9-hole course and designated it as a community priority.
In July, the commission directed RDCK staff to develop a project plan and feasibility assessment for the project.
The report was delivered to the commission in September.
Staff said it may be necessary to bring in a registered biologist to assess areas where the proposed route traverses certain natural areas and estimated that cost to be between $10,000 and $25,000.
Another expense is the need for a danger and hazard tree assessment which would cost about $5000. Although staff said assessments are part of the regular park processes, they recommended making this specific assessment a project cost.
Staff suggested the route alignment should avoid environmentally sensitive areas wherever feasible to minimize assessment requirements, permitting, mitigation measures, and potential project delays.
If routing through these areas cannot be avoided, environmental assessments would be undertaken to evaluate potential impacts and determine appropriate mitigation measures.
The report pointed to other successful disc golf installations such as Art Gibbons Park in Nelson where a 9-hole disc golf course was installed in 2020 to great success, with minimal disruption to the ecology, and with minimal cost.
At total project budget has been estimated at $60,000. The disc golf society has previously committed to help with fundraising efforts.