PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Tuesday, State Rep. Jehan-Gordon Booth (D-Peoria) secured a $4 million capital investment to create a “Top Golf-like” experience at the Peoria Park District Golf Learning Center & Academy..
“Something like Top-Golf that experience, helps to get people in the door, expose them to the game, catch the spirit,” said Peoria Park District Executive Director Emily Cahill.
The $4 million grant will be used to improve the visitor experience at the Center, including new golf simulator technology, upgrades to the driving range, and the addition of a 9-hole “pitch-n-putt” experience.
“These opportunities are opportunities we have to seize and we have to take advantage of and we have to bring to our community,” Cahill said.
The Park District expects the funds for modernized and improved facilities to offer new experiences for players at all levels, and to draw both visitors and residents to the Center.
“That not only helps us with workforce development, but it keeps people in Peoria so we have to modernize and evolve to continue to meet their wants and to engage them in healthy activity so they stay here in Peoria,” Cahill said.
Gordon-Booth said she hopes the new amenity will bring more people to Peoria.
“This is a major economic boom for all the cities that do it. I don’t want to sit on the sidelines and watch other communities boom, I want to see Peoria boom and so this is one step of many steps we’re going to continue to take,” Gordon-Booth said.
Gordon-Booth said Top-Golf is taking hold globally and many Peorians have gone to St. Louis or Chicago to experience it.
“I think it’s an important we keep the discretionary income of Peorians right here in Peoria, add it to our own local tax base, also there’s nothing like it within an over 90 mile radius,” Gordon-Booth said.
No new buildings will be constructed rather additions will take place to the existing structure.
Top Golf will not be associated with the modernized golf learning center.
There’s no official timeline but officials are hoping for 2024 as the deadline.
The full press conference can be viewed below:
