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SOUTH JORDAN — The group Save Mulligans is calling on South Jordan residents to make their collective voices heard regarding the fate of the popular local sports and entertainment venue.
The grass roots organization is issuing a survey to ask residents about their ideas for the future of Mulligans Golf and Games, 692 W. South Jordan Parkway.
This survey will be independent of another survey that the South Jordan City Council authorized to ask similar questions about the future of Mulligans.
At issue has been the potential development of the property. Currently, the facility has two nine-hole golf courses, a practice range and putting greens, along with miniature golf and batting cages. Mulligans has been a popular destination for area residents, including children and adults, for more than two decades.
However, for the past few years the city has been considering other potential uses for the property. For a time, the idea of a mixed-use development that would include recreation, open space, dining and entertainment was on the table, but that idea fell through when Hale Center Theatre chose neighboring Sandy for its newest planned location.
But Save Mulligans (savemulligans.com) has voiced opposition from the beginning, saying the facility is a valuable local recreational resource and should be maintained. Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Julie Holbrook, president of Save Mulligans, said Mulligans' fate should be decided by the residents of South Jordan.
“The people own Mulligans and they should have a say in it,” she said. “We urge every resident of South Jordan to participate in this poll and tell the City Council what they believe is the future of Mulligans.”
The deadline for mailing and taking the online survey is Wednesday, Oct. 15. Survey results will be published in November, she said.
“This (place) is owned by all of the people of South Jordan, not just a few,” said Save Mulligans member Carol Brown. “We want (the City Council) to hold town hall meetings and listen to the input of citizens.”
Brown said the group has suggested to the council that with wise management, the facility can become very profitable.
“We're urging the city to take some of the money they’re making from Mulligans and improve the golf course and draw even more people here,” she said. “It’s the most used green space in South Jordan; 250,000 people a year use this green space.”
In an effort to gauge public sentiment, the City Council announced earlier this month that it has hired Provo-based Y2 Analytics to conduct its survey of community members in an effort to see what residents want for the future of the facility, said South Jordan Mayor David Alvord.
“We are committed to an open and fair process,” Alvord said.
He said the city will conduct a scientific poll to accurately assess the will and preferences of residents. The results of the polling will likely be available early next year, he said.
”We are not afraid of the results,” he said. “We will honor the results. We don’t have a particular result in mind.”
Alvord said whatever the results, the council will work to implement what residents want to see in their community. He added that he would like residents to “feel good about the (eventual) outcome” of whatever decision is made.
“This is going to be a very serious effort,” Alvord said. “Our council truly wants to know the direction and the will of the people on this issue.”
