The Jamestown Finance and Legal Committee has unanimously recommended approval for Jamestown Frontier Attractions to initiate a contractor search for a new miniature golf course at Frontier Village. This decision was made during a meeting on November 18, 2023, and now awaits final approval from the Jamestown City Council.
Frontier Village, which is owned by the city of Jamestown, is set to host the new course. According to Mayor Dwaine Heinrich, the City Council will review the selected contractor proposed by the selection committee once the search concludes. The chosen contractor will be selected through a construction manager at-risk process, which involves soliciting proposals from specialists in this type of project.
Emily Bivens, executive director of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Jamestown Frontier Attractions Board, explained that this process is crucial because a miniature golf course requires specific expertise. Once a contractor is selected, the committee will negotiate a guaranteed maximum price for the project.
Funding for the golf course has been bolstered by a grant of $212,500 awarded to Jamestown Frontier Attractions by the North Dakota Department of Commerce through the Destination Development Grant Program. The estimated total cost for the course is projected to be under $500,000, with construction slated to begin in 2026 and the course expected to open in 2027. The outdoor facility will be located near the amphitheater at Frontier Village, which previously had benches removed. Plans also include transforming the amphitheater stage into a picnic pavilion.
Funding Initiatives for Local Development
In addition to the miniature golf course, the Finance and Legal Committee recommended approval for three funding requests from the Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation (JSDC). One of these requests includes $125,000 from Jamestown Tourism aimed at supporting local tourism sites, events, and recreational activities that have a positive economic impact on the city. If the Jamestown City Council approves this request, the city will contribute $100,000 while Stutsman County will provide $25,000.
This funding has been routinely approved and allows Jamestown Tourism to enhance its digital marketing efforts to attract more visitors to the area. Other JSDC requests include $35,000 for the revamped Workforce Pathways Program, formerly known as the Internship Reimbursement Program, and additional funding for renovations at the building located at 120 2nd St. NE.
The new Workforce Pathways Program, if approved, will operate on an 80-20 split between city and county funding, with the city’s share being $28,000 and the county’s at $7,000. This program aims to provide up to $3,500 to reimburse employers who hire college students as interns, ensuring they receive at least $15 per hour. The updated program now requires a full-time position for interns to transition into and includes a new evaluation rubric to better align with workforce development goals.
The renovations at the JSDC building, which houses both the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce and Jamestown Tourism, are estimated to cost over $362,000. The JSDC is responsible for 20% of these costs, amounting to approximately $78,000, while the city will cover more than $62,000 and the county over $15,000.
Investment in Local Sports Facilities
The Jamestown Civic Center and Promotion Committee also unanimously approved a separate proposal to purchase volleyball equipment for the Civic Center’s sports courts, with a total investment exceeding $13,000. This equipment will include two volleyball net systems, padded net stands, storage carts, game volleyballs, and referee flags.
According to Tricia Seckerson, president of the Jamestown Volleyball Boosters, hosting a tournament could generate between $10,000 and $15,000 in revenue for the Civic Center’s concession stands and from overnight stays. The junior spring program currently averages about 175 participants per season, but challenges persist due to limited gym space for larger tournaments.
Civic Center Director Pam Fosse stated that it would take only a few tournaments to recoup the funds spent on the new equipment. This investment reflects the city’s commitment to enhancing recreational opportunities and boosting local tourism through sports and community events.
