After months of uncertainty, the Evergreen Mini-Golf Course in Effingham will be reopening this spring after a new 5-year lease agreement was approved by the Effingham Park District Board at Wednesday’s meeting. The course, which sits on Park District Property, is currently owned by Julie and Mark Pike who were hoping to renew a new 10-year lease with the board in order to sell the business to a potential buyer. The board, however, said no to another 10-year lease causing the the deal with the new buyer to fall through, effectively closing the course. Now new buyers, Adam and Elizabeth Huston who own Livin’ It Up Transportation, have come forward to purchase, and reopen, the course on a 5-year lease agreement with the Park District. Effingham Park District President Jeff Althoff says he’s pleased with the outcome.
The lease states that rent for the property, located at 1202 N. Maple Street, will start at 7 percent of the course’s monthly revenue in the first year, 8 percent in the second year, and 10 percent for remaining three years, with an option to renew. The board voted to authorize the new lease agreement unanimously.
According to Adam Huston, now that the Park Board has approved a lease agreement, they can complete the purchase of the mini-golf course. His goal is build on, and improve the course, starting with increasing how long it’s opened each year.
The Evergreen Mini-Golf Course is set reopen in mid-April under the new ownership of the Hustons. Althoff further said that Park District was “excited” about the course being reopened.