Business

La Crosse park board backs idea for new Forest Hills Golf clubhouse

Published

1 year ago

November 18, 2022

Brad Williams

A rendering for a potential new clubhouse at Forest Hills in La Crosse.

A popular La Crosse golf course could get a new clubhouse soon.

The La Crosse Park Board approved Thursday a concept for a clubhouse at Forest Hills Golf, which would be called “Miller’s Junction.”

The Friends of Riverside Park have launched a fundraising campaign to cover much of the projected $3-million cost of the building, which would be city property.

The previous Forest Hills clubhouse was torn down in 2012, after being declared unusable. Tents have been used for many special events at the golf course since.

Fundraising spokesman Phillip Gelatt told the board that Forest Hills, and the surrounding Hixon Forest, is one of three “iconic” sites to be seen in La Crosse — the others being Riverside Park and Grandad Bluff.

La Crosse Parks, Rec. and Forestry director Jay Odegaard said at the meeting a new clubhouse could be a “game changer,” in the ability of Forest Hills to attract golf tournaments and other money-making events.

Planners also suggest that a clubhouse could help lead to more golf outings being scheduled by conventions that are held at the La Crosse Center.

FILE – Forest Hills Golf Club in La Crosse.

Brad Williams

A native of Prairie du Chien, Brad graduated from UW - La Crosse and has worked in radio news for more than 30 years, mostly in the La Crosse area. He regularly covers local courts and city and county government. Brad produces the features "Yesterday in La Crosse" and "What's Buried on Brad's Desk." He also writes the website "Triviazoids," which finds odd connections between events that happen on a certain date, and he writes and performs with the local comedy group Heart of La Crosse. Brad been featured on several national TV programs because of his memory skills.