Ladera Stays in Bond Issue
A compromise between the Albuquerque City Council and Mayor Martin Chavez on who select projects to benefit from $160 million in general-obligation bonds to be decided by voters in October means Ladera stands a good chance at getting an new irrigation system.
The deal struck Wednesday means $1.5 million within the Parks and Recreation Department portion of the capital-improvements package will go to a new irrigation system at Ladera, perennial stepchild of the Albuquerque muni courses, plagued by poor sprinkler coverage, poor soil and below-par maintenance. The Council wanted the improvements to save water, which leaks from Ladera’s seive-like 29-year-old system
How much leakage? How about 181 million gallons of wasted water per year. In all, the city courses were penalized $400,000 in excess water-usage surcharges last year.
Golfers still need to wait to learn whether Ladera and the other courses will continue to suffer lower staffing levels mandated by Parks Director Jay Evans to meet City Hall-orderd belt-tightening. That order means the city courses are entering the high-maintenance summer season with winter-time staffing levels — a recipe for further decline in playing conditions.
Previously, the mayor told the Golf Advisory Board manpoer at the city courses would not be cut.
