By Kathleen Leese For Miami Valley Today PIQUA The Piqua Commission heard an update on Echo Hills Golf Club, including plans to increase fees, as well as hearing the annual Recreational Division Report during their meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18. The commission heard from Patrick Kirkland, general manager of Echo Hills Golf Club. “I’m happy to report another successful year,” Kirkland said in addressing the commission. He noted that new equipment was purchased for the maintenance department. As a result, the course is “best (it’s) ever been.” Kirkland also acknowledged the golf course staff, noting they have done a great job. Kirkland reviewed the FY 2025 goals from spring, noting those included an increase in top-line revenue; an increase in membership revenue and value; an increase in F&B revenue; to purchase and replace aging maintenance equipment; improve the course playing conditions; and continue with the cart path repaving program. Kirkland shared that there was a $1,233,326 top-line revenue, which reflects a 9% increase; 32, 000 rounds of golf were played, a 4% increase; there was a $170,000 F&B revenue increase with a 12% increase YTD; and merchandise revenue has totaled $69,000, which is an increase of 9% YTD. Membership revenue is $112,000, which is an increase of 10% YTD. While Kirkland spoke about the positive direction Echo Hills is moving, he also noted there have been challenges. Those include golf cart steering damage, and drought conditions were an issue from August through September. Kirkland also noted there have been irrigation system failures as well as several breakdowns, and parking has also been a challenge. Kirkland also discussed Echo Hills memberships. He said that in 2022, there were 92 memberships sold; in 2023, there were 117 memberships sold; in 2024, there were 123 memberships sold, and in 2025, there were 151 memberships sold, and revenue increased $10,639. It was noted that limited memberships were being converted to unlimited memberships. Kirkland explained that limited memberships are being eliminated because it “devalues other memberships. If they see the value we are adding, they’ll be fine.” Kirkland said there will be changes to Echo Hills memberships for 2026, noting that in addition to eliminating the limited memberships, there will be a $200 increase to existing memberships other than junior memberships. There are also proposed daily fee changes, including removing the senior rate offerings from Fridays, with the weekend rate now being from Friday through Sunday. There will be a green fee rate increase of $5 across all of the offerings. The changes will remain competitive with other areas. Online discounts will be available for golfers wanting to get the most for their money. Kirkland spoke about proposed improvements to the golf course, including tree removal and plantings, rebuilding the bridge to the 14th hole, and cart path paving. There are also going to be improvements to the clubhouse, with Kirkland stating they are working with Bruns Construction on that project. Several course improvements are planned for next year including design work on bridge reconstruction for holes 15 and 16; hiring an irrigation consultant to design a new system; continuing the golf cart path repaving project; a new tee box on 9 Red and 14 Gold; planting over 100 Arborvitae trees for the old parking lot for privacy; bunker resurfacing on hole 12 and possible work to resurface other holes and continue to clear overgrown invasive tree and bush species from the back nine holes 14 through 16. They will be returned to their original design. Kirkland said the city street paving employees do a “great job for us.” Kirkland announced that Stella the dog, a mascot at Echo Hills, has been chosen to be the March 2026 Calendar Dog in the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) annual calendar. He added that the calendar is released across the United States. Stella will also be part of a Meet and Greet in March and will have her own merchandise available at Echo Hills. Stella also reportedly knows which Echo Hills members have treats in their pockets for her as well as chasing geese around the golf course and she picks up sticks, Kirkland said. Commissioner Jim Vetter responded to Kirkland’s report, telling him that when he came to the commission, “we gave $1 million to the golf course to keep it afloat.” He added that only about 9% of Piqua residents use the golf course. Mayor Kris Lee asked Kirkland if he believed they can maintain memberships in light of a $200 increase in membership, to which Kirkland responded, “I do. They (members) see the value.” He added that he knows some individuals will not like the increase and will be upset by it. “I don’t have plans to raise rates every year or two years.” The Golf Advisory Board approved the increases and changes to the fees before Tuesday’s meeting. Kirkland told the commissioners, “The word is out, this is a great golf course.” Hampton Golf manages Echo Hills Golf Club for the City of Piqua. During their meeting, the commission also heard the city’s Recreation Division update by Tyler Barlage, recreation manager, who told the commission about the success of Lock 9, whose season recently concluded. Barlage said they hope to see more grants and donations resulting from the success of Lock 9. Barlage said the 2025 Lock 9 concert series was the first full season lineup since the Trevino Performance Pavilion was completed. He added there was positive feedback from the community regarding the lineup of performers and they had positive feedback from the bands and performers themselves about the venue and hospitality when they performed. Barlage also thanked Crooked Handle for providing meals for the performers. It was noted that $128, 500 in total sponsorship and grant funding was received for the 2025 concert series. The Trevino Grant provides $100, 000 per year toward the concert series. Barlage said approximately $150, 000 was spent on concerts in 2025. He said there was an average of over 1, 200 in attendance at the concerts, with 45% of them being residents compared to 55% non-residents. Barlage said the 2026 Lock 9 concert series will include 15 performance dates that will run from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The 2026 concerts will include an opening performer who will increase the duration of concert nights. While there will be a few returning favorites from last year’s lineup, there will also be mainly new performers for the 2026 season. There will also be a range of genres, so there is something for everyone. There is also expected to be a full day of music at Lock 9 for the 2026 PiquaFest. Barlage said residents are welcome to send emails to him if there is a certain group they would like to see perform. Barlage acknowledged that parking for those attending Lock 9 events is “something (we) have to figure out, something we need to work on going forward.” Barlage said Lock 9, which featured three family-friendly movie nights during Movies in the Park in 2025, will again offer three nights of movies in 2026. The movies were sponsored by Elliott Land & Hardscaping. The events included character appearances, free popcorn, face painting as well as other activities. There were also other community events sponsored by the City of Piqua’s Parks and Recreation Department. They included a Community Shredding Day; Older Americans Month Lunch and Learn; July 4th Fireworks; Shakespeare in the Park; Community Health and Wellness Fair; Touch-a-Truck; OSU Football Watch Party, and New Year’s Fireworks. In addition, Barlage told the commissioners about the recreation activities offered in 2025, including Goat Yoga, Paddleboarding, Walking Club, Disc Golf instruction, and Evening Yoga, as well as partnerships including a Flag Football program and fitness series with the YMCA, and other partnerships including the Piqua Police Department’s Police in the Park and with the YWCA. Commissioner Frank DeBrosse said he wanted to thank Piqua Police Chief Rick Byron for his work and the Piqua Police officers for their Police in the Parks program. “Maybe next year (we can) get some of the firefighters” to participate in that program,” DeBrosse said.
https://miamivalleytoday.com/piqua-commission-hears-echo-hills-lock-9-updates/
