Changes in the Works

Officials in Thornton have set an Oct. 9 end-of-business-day closing date for Thorncreek Golf Course, which will undergo a multi-million-dollar renovation before a projected re-opening in the spring or summer of 2018.

An email sent to customers indicated the course, driving range and grill will close at the end of business on Oct. 9, with the golf shop remaining open until Oct. 16.

Thorncreek, a public course designed by Baxter Spann which opened in 1992, has been owned by the city of Thornton since 2012, when it took over from a private management company. Some of the top priorities in the renovation process will be adding a new irrigation system and addressing water-quality issues relating to irrigation. Other improvements will include turfgrass and cart path modifications, developing a forward tee program and the addition of running-water restrooms. According to the city of Thornton website, “The improvements will replace an irrigation system that’s reached the end of its useful life, improve the pace of play and make the course more playable for a wider segment of golf customers.”

Meanwhile, the Thornton city council is planning to hold a public hearing on Tuesday (Aug. 23) regarding the possible construction of a three-level Topgolf facility near Thorncreek. The proposed Topgolf site is south of East 136th Ave., and east of I-25. Topgolf, a successful entertainment complex revolving around a driving range with computer-tracked golf balls, officially entered the Denver market last year, when a site opened in Centennial.

(Aug. 24 Update) The city council voted 8-1 to approve the building of the Topgolf facility. The city will kick in $3.75 million in incentives as part of the deal.