ALBERT LEA, Minn. (KTTC) -- An Albert Lea disc golf course remains a hot topic of discussion after some residents took issue with the cutting down of trees. However, the expansion to the Bancroft Bay course is nearly complete.
With the exception of a few items on the course, the expansion project is finished and is already being used by the public. Issues are being raised, but none concerning enough to the course designer.
A project that has already received backing from the Albert Lea City Council and many local businesses, including the Mayo Clinic, Ross Brandt has spent much of his time making this new course addition a reality.
Brandt says he has faced several voices of opposition but they were quickly swayed once the plans were fully explained. The cutting of trees in the area is now a source of controversy, but Brandt is not concerned.
"They are buckthorns, which pursuant to the Shoreland Preservation Act, you are allowed to cut those down because they are an invasive species," said Ross Brandt, the lead course designer. "So, you can actually see the transformation of this park where the buckthorns started 30 or 40 years ago on the northwest side, and you can see how rapidly they've spread."
Local and national tournaments are already in the works for the course, bringing in people and money for the city of Albert Lea.
Any city or state violation that may be raised is said to be a non-issue and will be dealt with if and when they are brought forward.
