The local YMCA recently started a capital fundraising program

By sometime this summer, Hendricks said he and others involved with the campaign believe they will have a good idea of whether their vision can become a reality.

“We would like to have a snapshot of what the commitment level will be within the next six months,” Hendricks said. “That would give us some good feedback to see if it’s viable.”

If the YMCA was able to reach a “comfortable” level of pledges and purchased the property in early summer, Hendricks said, “We could actually be playing (on the golf course) in the fall.

“It would be a public course and not a country club,” said Hendricks, who is available to speak to civic clubs and others about the capital campaign. “If anybody wants to come and play, there would be a daily rate.”

The YMCA is presently talking with a golf consultant based in Tyler, Hendricks said. That person would possibly serve as the course’s manager.

Hendricks said he envisioned “a public course that people could take off a little early and play nine holes — an atmosphere where a grandfather could teach a grandchild how to play golf.

“We also see the golf being a key to Palestine Ping G15 Fairway Wood being a retirement community,” he continued. “Golf is a big factor when people are making decisions about where to retire.”

The facility’s proposed five tennis courts — there are currently three courts in need of repair — would allow the city to have league play, according to Hendricks.

Four large soccer fields — two of which are proposed to be lighted — would allow Palestine to host multiple tournaments each year, providing the local economy with a boost, he stated. “A small, two-day tournament” would give the local economy a $50,000 boost, according to Hendricks.

The existing swimming pool would likely need new pumps, filters and other touchup work to be usable, he said.

“Long-term goal would eventually be to cover it,” Hendricks said. “That would give us the opportunity to have year-round exercise Ping K15 fairway wood classes and swimming lessons.”

The Meadowbrook clubhouse would become the PARC’s Community Rec Center, according to Hendricks. Although a full-time restaurant is not in the Y’s initial plans, the kitchen would remain operational and the rec center  “would be available for different organizations to rent for events.”

Current YMCA members would be able to pay an additional fee to have access to all activities at the proposed PARC, he indicated.

“You could use everything we offer here at our current discount golf clubs location,” Hendricks said, “plus everything we have to offer there.”

 The facility would require two full-time and three part-time year-round employees, with others — such as golf course employees and lifeguards — needed on a seasonal basis, according to Hendricks.

“Of course, we’d use some people from our current staff,” Hendricks said, “and there would be some overlap.”

While acknowledging the goal is grand, especially during trying economic times for many, Hendricks pointed out “they raised $2 million for the expansion of our current building about six years ago.

Prospective donors can pick up information and donation forms at the YMCA or from a board member, he said.