Cleanup of suspicious Flint golf course fire in hands of city insurance carrier
(This story has been updated to correct information about the golf course.)
FLINT, MI — City officials say they are waiting on Flint’s insurance carrier to pay for the cleanup of a clubhouse at Pierce Park Golf Course after a September fire destroyed 90 percent of the building.
Flint Fire Chief Raymond Barton said the Sept. 21 fire at the course on the city’s east side was ruled suspicious and was investigated by Michigan State Police arson investigators after it occurred.
A Michigan State Police K-9 could not detect any accelerants during the investigation, he told City Council members on Monday, Nov. 30.
Flint Councilwoman Monica Galloway asked city officials for an update on the status of the site during the approximately eight-hour long virtual meeting.
Once operated by the city, Pierce Park Golf Course is located in the 7th Ward on Brookside Drive and has been closed in recent years.
The 18-hole par 3 course was previously leased to and operated by the IMA Recreation Association, and the Flint Junior Golf program operated there for a number of years.
Barton said the near complete destruction of the clubhouse was the result of a rapidly spreading blaze that was already in flames when firefighters arrived.
A water hydrant in front of the center had been turned off, delaying any opportunity to enter the building, he added.
City Administrator Clyde Edwards told council members the city has had the site of the fire fenced off and turned over insurance claim paperwork to the city’s insurance carrier.
Edwards has been asked to update council on the status of the insurance claim at its Dec. 14 meeting.
Read more:
What should happened to golf courses owned by the city of Flint?
Flint to lease Pierce Park Golf Course to IMA to keep it open this year
Flint’s Pierce Senior Center closing to make way for banquet facility
