At the April 21, 2015 work session, the South Jordan City Council worked with city staff to plan a party. Recognizing the good efforts of citizens and city staff who worked to save Mulligan’s Golf & Games, they set the date for a celebration on June 3 to start off the city’s annual Country Fest weekend.

The city-owned green space that makes up most of the Mulligan’s property abuts the Jordan River Parkway trail north of 10600 South in South Jordan. Discussions arose in recent years about possible development options in the area. Citizen activists spoke up, raised awareness, and conducted a survey that showed strong support for keeping Mulligan’s open, as well as protecting the open area along the Jordan Parkway Trail for future generations to enjoy.

City staff, councilmembers and the mayor reviewed finances and discussed options for the property. Realizing that it was costing the city nearly a half million dollars annually in bond payments, plus maintenance and upkeep costs, it seemed that, on the books at least, Mulligan’s was costing the city much more than it brought in.

Early in 2015 the city found the means to retire the entire bond of some $6.5 million dollars owing for the purchase of the property, using funds already set aside for Mulligan’s uses plus a general fund surplus. The full payment avoids nearly $1.5 million in interest that the city would have paid over the next decade. A Mulligan’s Review Commission is currently analyzing the options to make the recreation center and green space thrive, now that its finances are stable.

Mayor David Alvord noted that it is worth celebrating “when the city pays off a major asset,” as well as to recognize the good work of many people who made it possible. The Mulligan’s bond payoff party is scheduled Wednesday June 3, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Mulligan’s Golf & Games at 692 South Jordan Parkway, just west of I-15 along 10600 South.