The Deer Park Golf Course equipment fleet is getting a major upgrade.
"The Deer Park Golf Course currently uses grass cutting equipment that is significantly over the hours of use when replacement is recommended and a fleet replacement program has not been implemented in the past due to a lack of funding. There are numerous pieces of specialty equipment used for maintaining the course including various riding mowers, tractors, attachments, utility vehicles as well as other walk-behind equipment," Darcy McLeod Community Development, Parks and Recreation, with the City told the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.
"In recent years money has been approved as part of the annual budget process to start an equipment replacement program. This money is allocated to a reserve account at year end and is accessed only by resolution of City Council. Typically these purchases are included as part of the annual capital budget process, however given the significant hours on these machines, replacement is being moved forward now due to the significant maintenance required ensuring these machines remain operational this year.
Administration completed the tender process for five pieces of equipment which are a 1989 Greens Mower, 1997 Trim Mower, 2002 Rough Mower, 2003 Fairway Mower and a 1999 utility vehicle.
Guertin Equipment is the low bidder on the four pieces of equipment and although Oak Creek Golf & Turf was lower on the fifth piece of equipment, their submission did not meet the specifications for payload and towing capacity for that piece of equipment, explained McLeod.
"Funding from the Deer Park Equipment Reserve account in the amount of $154,467.60 is required to replace these pieces of equipment. The entire purchase can be funded from existing reserves with the exception of $27,000 coming from the 2015 allocation to reserves," he said.
McLeod said they will be working toward a more managed upgrade of the fleet.
"Following the purchase of these pieces, Administration will start a fleet replacement program that ensures a better rotation of equipment, maximizes trade-in value, reduces maintenance costs and minimizes equipment down-time thereby maintaining service levels. These pieces of equipment will be targeted for a six-year replacement cycle," he said.
