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Heber, Midway and Wasatch County

Utah State Parks Looks At New Managment For Golf Courses

New Director of Utah State Park Jeff Rasmussen comes into his new role with 25 years of experience. He’s been deputy director since 2012. He says his vision for State Parks is to continue to offer great services while keeping up with trends.

“People that we have working at our state parks know best what our customers are looking for because they’re with them every day,” Rasmussen said “they’re always coming up with new ideas 'hey we need to offer a floating water park at Jordanelle' it’s because of that creativity and dedication that we come up with these ideas”

One change that could be happen came at the request of state legislators. A request for proposal (RFP) would look at the management of the states 4 golf courses.  This could mean Wasatch Mountain and Solider Hollow golf courses in Midway would come under new management.

“We already have private companies that offer concessions there,” Rasmussen said “Where (the RFP) is going to take us we’re not sure, but we’ve been asked to look into it and we’re working on it.”

The courses would remain under the ownership of the state parks but would contract the management of the courses to a private company. The state legislative proposal comes after they requested the same thing in 2011. The division of parks and recreation would ultimately make the decision. The RFP is for 10 years.

Public Information Officer Eugene Swalberg says the RFP would ensure that current employees would be retained.

Utah State Parks also recently added Echo Reservoir to their state parks, they plan to add new facilities to the park. Utah State Parks are also interested in preventing the spread of Quagga Mussels. Three recent cases in Northern Utah lakes has the Parks on high alert.

“It’s the kind of stuff that keeps us up at night, and our folks realize how important that is and are vigilant in making sure they’re checking all the boats that come in.” Rasmussen said “As the population increases and more people are getting out and recreating and bring boats into these reservoirs we’ll have to be more vigilant”

Utah State Parks partners with Division of Wildlife Resources, who takes the lead on that effort.

“There’s no easy answer with the quagga mussels issue other than just making sure we have folks there checking boats as they come into our parks; and that’s what we’re doing”

KPCW reporter David Boyle covers all things in the Heber Valley as well as sports and breaking news.
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