The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

The mild winter weather has people thinking about the upcoming golf season.

Not the least of those looking ahead are commissioners of Grant County Port District 7, who are responsible for management of the 18-hole course in Electric City.

The course normally opens March 1, but it could be earlier this year since rain and warm weather have cleared snow from the fairways and greens.

Commissioners have decided to continue last season’s membership rates and single-day fees for 9-hole and 18-hole play, and for cart rentals.

Individual season memberships are $700; couples and family memberships are $800; and junior memberships are $100.

Port District President James Keene said it was decided to keep membership costs the same following a successful operation of the course last year.

In daily play, costs will be $18 for nine holes of play, $30 for 18 holes. Cart rentals will cost $12 for nine holes or $24 for 18 holes of play.

Cart storage for gas vehicles remains the same, at $200 annually for gas carts and $275 a year for electric carts.

The port district has relied heavily on volunteer help for several positions in the past several years.

In other activity at the district’s monthly meeting Thursday, Grand Coulee Dam Airport Manager Bob Babler told commissioners that as soon as warmer weather arrives, workers will complete the project of re-striping the runway and staging areas. This is part of the recent $250,000 FAA and DOT grant to repair cracks in the runway. That work was done last fall, but the re-striping work was scheduled for warmer weather.