Darkening of Driving Range Lights May Impact Future Grant Funding

The St. Louis County commission that helped fund the driving range lights at the Ruth Park Golf Course in University City has written a letter to City Manager Lehman Walker asking him to reconsider his decision to at night at the range.

In the letter written June 3, Tim Fischesser, the executive director of the St. Louis County Municipal League writes:

"It has has come to the attention of the Park Grant Commission that lights at the Ruth Park Driving Range, built with grant funding, have recently been left unused."

The lights were reportedly disabled in January after some residents near the range complained they were too bright. In May, Walker made the decision to permanently shut off the lights. The action riled , who were unhappy that Walker made the decision with little community input. Even of driving range neighbors and golf enthusiast formed at Walker's request to look at the lighting complaints did not recommend eliminating the lights altogether.

"It is difficult for the Commission to imagine that a city would utilize grants funds from the Commission, but then not use the asset built," Fischesser said in the letter.

He noted that University City's grant application stated that "The range would be lit for night play..."

"We denied other requests in order to fund the University City grant, further reinforcing the expectation of cities to use funded facilities," Fischesser said. 

Through the , Walker told University City Patch "The city is still reviewing various options regarding the lighting issue."

However, U City's decision to turn off the range lights could jeopardize future grant funding opportunities. Fischesser said in his letter:

"The Commission has asked that I inform you that should University City continue to not use the grant funded lights, this could affect the Commission's decision to award grant funding to University City in the future, amongst other actions."

"When funding is requested and then awarded, it is obviously implied that projects will be used," Fischesser added.

When contacted by University City Patch, Councilmember Stephen Kraft said he had, "no comment on the golf course."

Meantime Councilmember Terry Crow said, "I think the County commission is correct. I am proud of whomever brought this to their attention." 

On May 28, Walker  to support his decision. He called the list 

"Driving Range Lighting Issue Facts:

1. The Driving Range Committee . I agreed with 7 of them.
2. The net gain in revenue for the driving range is $11,000.
3. 83 percent of the golfers at Ruth Park are not residents of University City.
4. The lights are intrusive on the residents across the street on Groby Ave. I decided to turn them off pending further study after the city has hired a golf course landscape architect to come up with design and screening solutions."