Old golf course in Cantonment gets new lease on life with playground, walking track, more
There are new plans for the old Champion Golf Course owned by International Paper Company in Cantonment.
Escambia County’s Board of County Commissioners voted to lease the 68-acre property, located at U.S. Highway 29 and Muscogee Road, with plans to turn the vacant land into a public park area with several amenities.
Where people once played rounds of golf, they’ll soon be able to enjoy an 18-hole disc golf course, along with a new playground, pavilion and a mile long walking track. If the amenities are a long-term hit with the community, there’s room to expand and add more.
The project has been in the works for several years. Escambia Commissioner Steven Barry, who represents District 4 where the property is located, said he has been discussing the idea of utilizing the land with International Paper mill managers since 2020.
“The golf course wasn't being operated at that time for a couple of years, so they were looking for a use, and we were looking for an amenity for our constituents,” Barry said at the board’s meeting Monday. “It's going to be a great thing. They can do a lot with the 3,200-plus square feet in there to benefit that community.”
According to the terms of the five-year lease, the county will pay $5,000 the first year, $5,250 the second year, $5,512.50 the third year, $5,788.13 the fourth year, and $6,077.53 the fifth year.
Escambia County Director of Parks and Recreation Michael Rhodes said the county will manage the property but collaborate with International Paper on any future additional amenities. He added the accessible location will also make it convenient for people who live in the Cantonment and Molino areas, as well as visitors.
“Not only will our citizens get to use it, but there are a lot of folks coming into our area south on Highway 29,” Rhodes said. “Instead of seeing a vacant, old, dilapidated golf course, they're going to see a disc golf course, a pavilion park and walking track in lieu of a piece of land that has been vacant for so many years.”
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Whitney Fike, regional communications manager for International Paper, said the company is excited to partner with Escambia County to create a future recreation area.
“This partnership represents a significant milestone for International Paper, Escambia County and the Cantonment community,” Fike said. “We are dedicated to bring something to the community to enrich community life with the development of this new park. Together, with Escambia County, we're not just transforming land; we're shaping experiences and enhancing lives, exemplifying our commitment to being a force for good in the community.”
Rhodes said he’ll be working with International Paper in the next couple of weeks to create a timeline for implementing the disc golf course, playground, pavilion, and walking track, but he hopes they can get started with the plans this fall.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Escambia leases International Paper golf course for public park
