The City of Saskatoon is moving to replace safety netting at two municipal driving ranges after stray golf balls have become a hazard, damaging vehicles and property and endangering people near Rod Hamm Memorial Arena. A report to city council on Wednesday requests an additional $1.615 million to expand the scope of an existing capital project, more than doubling its original budget.
Stray Golf Balls Cause Damage and Safety Concerns
According to a city report, the number of golf balls escaping the netting at Silverwood and Holiday Park driving ranges has increased due to technological improvements in golf clubs. At Holiday Park, the current netting stands only about 75 feet tall and is close to several businesses. The report states that golf balls have been hit over, through, and past the net, resulting in property damage to buildings and vehicles, and near misses of people entering or exiting Rod Hamm Memorial Arena.
The city notes an increase in recreational golfers at Holiday Park since 2019, and the netting has reached the end of its lifespan. Silverwood driving range has also seen a rise in errant balls, creating a safety hazard.
Budget Increase and Project Scope
The original capital project allocated $1.4 million, with most funding directed to Silverwood: $1.325 million for landscaping, pole installation, and safety netting, and $75,000 for Holiday Park for netting-panel replacement and hardware. The new proposal seeks an additional $1.615 million, bringing the total to over $3 million.
At Silverwood, new netting will be installed at 100 feet tall on the left side, 110 feet on the right, and 110 feet at the end of the driving range. For Holiday Park, the netting will be extended to 110 feet tall, and the driving range length will increase from 500 to 800 feet. The plan also includes reusing existing shorter poles by relocating them to the end of the range and installing new netting to minimize balls entering baseball diamonds.
Cost Recovery and Golf Course Revenues
The city says the Holiday Park project will achieve 100 per cent cost recovery with no impact on the mill rate. The report notes that in 2025, golf course revenues were $5,834,723, expenditures were $3,984,562, and transfers to reserves were $1,850,161. The golf course capital reserve had $3,285,202 at the end of 2025.
Holiday Park recorded the highest number of golf rounds in Saskatchewan last year, with Silverwood in the top 10. All three municipal golf courses—including Wildwood Golf Course—had a combined attendance of 148,140 rounds in 2025.
