We have had a couple of setbacks to the irrigation project, but it is moving along nicely. Crews managed to install 10 heads before the snow in January delayed the project. The great thing about living on the west coast is when the snow falls, it doesn’t last long. Shortly after the snow melted, crews were working on the installation of the heads, and the installation of the sprinkler heads on holes 15 and 16 are now completed.

Our biggest and saddest set back is the news that Jim Dafoe, our Superintendent and friend, is battling cancer. His attitude is positive and we are sending him our best wishes each and every day. In the interim, the project is under the watchful eyes of Rod Siddons.

This week crews are working on the installation of the mainline across the driving range. The driving range is closed for the week, and we expect it to re-open on Wednesday, February 15^th. This mainline will eventually feed the front nine holes. We have added two extra crew members to increase production so we can keep stay on schedule.

We have now installed 123 irrigation heads in the ground to date, but there is still a fair amount of backfilling and clean-up to do. A lot has been accomplished since October, and we are confident this portion of the irrigation project will be finished in time for the 2012 golf season (weather permitting).

Installing the new irrigation system - post construction

The work on the irrigation system was paused over the holidays so crews could spend time with family and friends. Now that we are back in the swing of things, crews have managed to complete installation of irrigation lines, heads and wire on the 15^th green and 16^th tee, and they will begin working on the 16^th green as soon as the weather improves.

The heavy rains delayed recent progress, which is not the time to start opening up trenches during these conditions as the excess water prevents a repacking of the trench. The main reason we are trenching rather than using any other method to place the irrigation pipe is to protect the drain lines that have taken years to install.

“Much care is needed to add, find and repair drainage lines as we continue with the installation,” says Jim Dafoe, course superintendent. It is well worth the effort, as those drain lines work very quickly and efficiently when needed.

Several pictures have been posted on our Facebook page in an album called Irrigation Project. As this exciting project continues, we will continue to update you with the progress.

Throughout this project, there have been several changes to the schedule, including the intention of having just one hole closed at a time. Some members have shared their stories from other golf courses where this has occurred. However, every golf course is unique in design and soil conditions, and in our case, the rocky terrain makes the process of pulling pipe and wire through the ground impossible. Plus, in British Columbia it is illegal to use this method when wire is involved. That is why Fairwinds must trench, which requires more time, effort and people, and it would not be practical to have golfers playing in the midst of construction. Therefore, the decision was made to completely close the back nine.

We had also initially planned to keep the 10^th, 11^th and 18^th holes open for play until later in the winter; however, a supply of larger pipe was late in arriving. Instead of having work crews wait for supplies, we had them begin construction on these holes instead which required the pipe that had arrived. This was an important decision as it allowed us to get back on schedule overall.

Our intention is to complete the back nine in time for the start of the new golf season which is typically in the middle or late part of April. Completion would consist of all holes re-opening, including greens and fairways. We originally planned for a complete re-turf on all trenches, but we may not be able to finish this in all areas due to equipment limitations and the places where the new irrigation system is to be installed. In these cases we may experience some ground still under repair.

This irrigation project is important in ensuring that Fairwinds Golf Club continues to be one of the premier golf courses on Vancouver Island. The new system promises to provide improved playing conditions, while reducing water use; it is an investment of over one million dollars in an economic climate that has seen many golf courses in British Columbia be forced to close. We know there is a great deal of interest in the irrigation project, and will do our best to keep posting regular updates.

Next, the irrigation designer will be laying out the lines that connect the mainline valves to the sprinkler heads. Fairwinds’ crews are also working on cleaning up excess material that was removed from trenching the mainlines.

Fairwinds is offering a winter construction special rate of $28 (plus tax) for 18 Holes.

The Rotary Club of Lantzville is organizing a Golf by Donation on both days from 9:00am. Everyone is welcome to stop by and play a round or two (on the front 9) or just a few holes. Bookings can be made after December 16 through the Golf Shop. All funds raised on Boxing Day will go towards the Nanoose Bay Community Cupboard Food Bank and all funds raised on New Year’s Day will go towards projects and people in the community supported by the Rotary Club of Lantzville. Grab a coffee and head out to the fairways. Please note Fairwinds will be closed on Sunday, December 25 (Christmas Day). Contact the Golf Shop for more details.   

Crews working on the back 9 holes

The new irrigation system is coming along smoothly. Mainlines have been installed on holes 10-14 and 17, and crews are currently working on the 18^th hole, which should be completed by the end of the week. We are confident that holes 15 and 16 will be finished within the next week.

This will complete the first stage of our timeline for installing all mainlines by the end of November. The second stage, which is the installation of lateral lines and irrigation heads, will start as soon as weather permits. Due to the recent rainfalls, some trenches cannot be backfilled at this time. The open trenches are a hazard so we ask the general public to stay away from the back 9 holes until further notice.

Holes 10-18 will remain closed for golf until the spring, but golfers can use this time to practice the front 9 holes and hopefully by spring, they will feel more comfortable playing on these holes! Special winter golf rates are available due to construction on the course – play 9 holes for only $21 (plus taxes).

Several photos of the irrigation project have been posted to our Facebook page. Click Here to have a look.

Please do not walk through the construction site. Fairwinds has put up barricades so people do not walk on these paths. Walking through a construction site can be hazardous, even when there is no activity (it is also very muddy). Please avoid walking on the cart paths from holes 12 through 17. Trail maps are available at the Fairwinds Centre and the Golf Shop with over 20 kilometres of walking trails in Fairwinds.

Holes 1-11 and 18 are still available until further notice. Special winter golf rates are in effect due to construction on the golf course.

Play 18 Holes for $28
Play 9 Holes for $21

Grow, stick or draw on a mustache when you purchase a green fee and Fairwinds will donate $2 towards the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Plus, enter a chance to win a 10 Game Winter Pass!  One lucky winner will be drawn at the end of the month. Call the Golf Shop for details.

Based on availability. HST not included.

There are several benefits to investing in a new irrigation system that costs over a million dollars, and though this project will be disruptive, it’s well worth the inconvenience and money. A functioning irrigation system is essential for the health and beauty of any golf course, and Fairwinds is no different. With the new system, each sprinkler is controllable, which means we can put just the right amount of water where we want it, when we want it. The new system also gives us the control to water some areas without watering other areas. This will reduce wet spots from overwatering.

Last week Fairwinds officially started installing the new irrigation system by trenching in pipe behind the 17^th green and heading up the 17^th fairway.

Holes 1-11 and 18 are still available to golfers until further notice.