10 Years Ago 1997

Mike Robinson is waiting until Thursday to put the flagsticks on the smooth grass at Cedarcrest Golf Course he wants them to be as new and fresh as possible when the course opens. The golf superintendent, along with thousands of local golfers, waited 16 months for opening day and he wants everything at its newest and best. We are really looking forward to dodging golf balls again, Robinson said. The 70-year-old golf course closed last April for a $3 million renovation. Original 1927 drainage pipes were removed, ponds and bunkers added, holes rebuilt and a computerized irrigation system installed. What was once a bumpy, soggy course is now dry and beautiful. Robinson and his crew has been working long days to put the finishing touches on the course. Last week they finished the landscaping around the first hole, replacing the spot where an equipment loader sat for 16 months. The parking lots were painted after serving as the contractors storage yard. Crewmembers installed rubber mats along the courses new refurbished bridges to protect the wood from golf shoe spikes. On a Friday tour of the new course, new benches and signs were standing in a row, ready for installation. Everything got an update, from the bunkers and fairways to the water fountains and restrooms. Holes were rearranged to make playing time faster and water hazards were added to make the course more challenging. Thirty-six new bunkers complete the challenge. A continuous asphalt path links the holes. Im proud of what we did, Robinson said. When golfers visit and are flabbergasted, thats what really makes us feel good. Annually, golfers logged about 61,000 rounds. The golf course is paid for entirely by golf fees no city general fund money pays for its operation or the $3 million renovation. The renovated golf course is opening on time and on budget or within 5 percent, Robinson said. Golfers will see an increase in fees and passes are no longer offered, in part to pay for debt service on the renovation and to keep the number of players down while the grass matures, said Jim Ballew, director of parks and recreation. The day of the pass is past, Ballew said. He figured holders of the senior adult pass were playing between a total of $120,000 and $150,000 worth of free golf. Its giving away money, Ballew said. We are not in a position to loose that revenue source. The City Council will reconsider fees in the fall. In the meantime, golfers have a new course to play, and some may consider the renovation worth the increase. Improving drainage was the number one priority of the renovation, Robinson said. In fact, it was one-third, or about $1.2 million of the renovation fee. The course was so wet in the winter that it often went months at a time without being mowed. Golfers were as wet as the course after playing. To improve drainage, sand was installed throughout the course, from four inches on the fairways to 13 inches on the greens. New grass was planted on top of the sand. The drainage runs into new ponds at Cedarcrest, where the water will be recycled to irrigate the course. A computerized weather station detects humidity in the air, including rain, to monitor water usage. A computer controls the sprinklers. Its really sate of the art, Robinson said. The golf course renovation may not be an environmentalists dream. More than 250 trees were cut from the grounds. An additional 25 were relocated throughout the golf course. Cedarcrest uses an average of 10,000 gallons of water a day and over 76,000 gallons of water daily during peak season nearly three times as much as the average house uses in a month. As the course matures, water use will decrease. Environmentalists may find solace where Allen and Munson creeks cross the course, Robinson said. The area surrounding Allen Creek was left in its natural state, with weeds and cattails. Forty of the courses 120 acres are completely natural with tall timbers and blackberry bushes. A $120,000 fish ladder was built on Munson Creek to help spawning salmon return. Deer run through the course each morning and a family of ducks quack on the three ponds. The space previously taken up by Cedarcrest Restaurant is part of the 18th hole. While the city hasnt made a long-term commitment on food service yet, there are plans for a temporary snack shop. Our goal is to cater to the golfer, not the general public right now, Ballew said. While the course looks a lot different, its not much bigger. Its less than 6,000 yards long from the blue tee, which keeps it from being professional length, but it can offer a nice challenge to a variety of golfers, Robinson said.

25 Years Ago 1982

While the Snohomish County Health District is investigating a report that giant rats have been found in Marysvilles sewer system, the county is moving ahead with plans to upgrade its solid waste program. The County Council, Monday, accepted the recommendation of solid waste director Rich Owens to close the Lake Goodwin dumpsite, effective Sept. 12, 1982. It has reached its capacity and we dont want a repeat of Mount Lake Stevens, said Councilwoman Shirley Bartholomew. To meet Environmental Protection Agency standards, it would cost $2 million to close Lake Stevens, is what Owings tells us. In a move to trim $200,000 from operating expenses, the Council accepted Owings recommendation to close all dumps on holidays except Cathcart (which is available only to commercial and municipal haulers). We ordered the Everett transfer station closed for the night shift, after hearing commercial haulers tell us it would be more feasible to kept the Terrace transfer station, Bartholomew said. We also ordered a 50 percent reduction in hours at all drop boxes, making sure that all drop boxes will be open one day on the weekend period where feasible. The major changes are designed to reduce operating costs. Bartholomew added the county is continuing talks with Seattle and King County on a joint solid waste recovery program. Meanwhile, Chris Hyatt, Snohomish Health District Director, is investigating a report of rats in Marysvilles sewer system. Were not sure where they are coming from, but I guess theyre getting pretty big, said City Councilwoman Rita Matheny. This one fellow, who said hes been trying to trap them, said he has seen quite a few. He said they ran away with a couple of his traps.

50 Years Ago 1957

Following a tradition of the Indian people that, for good omen, the first fish of a catch or the first trophy of the hunt is made a gift, Miss Maria Sneatlum and her mother, Mrs. Amelia Sneatlum, entertained about 70 people at the initial dinner of their new Thunderbird Salmon Barbecue. Guests were from Everett and Marysville. A beautify landscaped place, the Thunderbird is situated at the home of the Sneatlum family on the Tulalip highway. There are accommodations for about 80 in the sheltered, garden location. Sunday guests watched the traditional Indian salmon bake and then were served at attractively located laid tables. At the close of the meal a program of tribal dances and songs was presented by another daughter of Mrs. Sneatlum, Mrs. Lucy Milholland of Neah Bay with her daughters, June, Lila and Rita and her son, Junior. Mrs. Milholland also explained the Indian tradition of hueek swigwee, known in the Chinook language as Potlatch and spoke of the hudew year, the year of the humpy salmon when catches are plentiful. Charles James was master of ceremonies and George Culmback, mayor of Everett, expressed the appreciation of the guests. Mrs. Sneatlum and Maria were assisted at this event by relatives and friends.