Springing into action
April is the time of the year when most students finally are able to warm up to Michigan’s weather.
They just hope they get the same in return.
Many local businesses depend on these students – and favorable weather – to fuel their seasonal profits.
Pohlcat Golf Course, 6595 E. Airport Road, opened for business two weeks ago.
It should start getting busy in the coming weeks, said John Brehm, Pohlcat general manager.
“We had a better than usual winter,” he said. “There was little grass damage due to lack of ice.”
The greens look yellow right now because of dead grass, Brehm said, but that should change soon as the warmer weather slowly makes its way to Mount Pleasant.
“First warm rain we have, the green of the grass will come back overnight,” he said.
The course is popular with students because it’s the area’s only championship level course and is inexpensive.
Students get 18 holes and a cart for $25 – even during peak season when prices go upward of $75 for other area golf courses.
Another warm weather desire of students and residents is canoeing, kayaking and – for many – tubing down the Chippewa River.
Chippewa River Outfitters, 3763 S. Lincoln Road, is one of the more popular destinations, scheduled to open April 15.
Michigan’s wavering weather forces the business to stay closed later in the year because of safety concerns.
Area springtime fun places
- Buckley’s Mountainside Canoes 4700 W. Remus Road 772-5437
- Bucks Run Golf Club 1559 S. Chippewa Road 773-6830
- Holiday Greens 5665 E. Pickard Road 775-9004
- M and J Golf Inc. 4452 E. Millbrook Road 773-0647
- Pleasant Hills Golf Course 4452 E. Millbrook 772-0487
- Riverwood Resort 1313 E. Broomfield Road 772-5726
- The Golf Center 2280 Broomfield Road 772-0156
- Deerfield Nature Park 2425 W. Remus Road 772-2879
- Chipp-A-Waters Park 1403 W. High St.
- Mission Street Woodland Park 1458 N. Harris St.
“We can’t allow people in the water until the air and water temperatures combine for 120 degrees,” said Mike Anderson, owner of Chippewa River Outfitters. “Right now the water is only about 36 degrees.”
For students with more extreme outdoor tastes, Island Park Skate Park, located on Main Street just north of downtown, is open daily from dawn until dusk. The skate park is the largest of its kind in the area with 17,000 square feet filled with skating structures.
Another student favorite is University Recreation’s disc golf course.
Laura Braden, associate director of programs for University Recreation, said it may be hard to get a spot on the course.
“I would estimate that during good weather months, we have 100 to 125 players a day use the course,” she said.
The course is located on University Park Drive and is free and open to the public.
For the most extreme thrill seekers, Central Michigan Skydivers Inc. offers static line and tandem skydiving for about $200, according to its Web site. Central Michigan Skydivers can be reached at 5453 E. Airport Road or by phone at 773-8858.
