The security staff at Creek were tired of how long it took to shuttle kids from East to West. Out of four golf carts, two of them were nine years old and simply too run down to repair.
“They were kind of old, and they were really, really slow,” Security Supervisor Jorsua Chambers said.
They needed new ones that were faster and more practical, and as a result, two new golf carts were bought in July.
These new golf carts are furnished with new seats, a horn, seatbelts, and a backup camera. This provides more safety and functionality for students and drivers. “You can kind of play with the speed. If you want to go slow, they go 15 miles per hour. If you want to go faster they go 25 miles per hour,” Chambers said.
Lori Ferguson, an administrative assistant in East who works closely with the Security staff, and Chambers researched and searched hard for these quality golf carts.
“We’re pretty proud of them,” Ferguson said.
Students who have a temporary leg condition, like a broken leg or foot that prevents them from being able to walk long distances are the people who primarily use the golf carts. They are also used for visitors who need transportation on campus. During graduation, the carts provide a simple way for injured students to get to the ceremony.
Haley Smith, a senior at Creek, broke her ankle four days after school began. She’s been using the golf carts for travel from West to East.
“It’s very efficient for a lot of people, because it’s a huge campus. I don’t have to worry about injuring [my broken ankle], or putting too much pressure on it,” Smith said.
The administration declined to comment about the pricing of the golf carts. The Winter Reservation sells the golf carts for around $8,000.
“Hopefully we’ll only have to do minor maintenance on them yearly, and we won’t buy anymore for another five years,” said Ferguson.
The funding for the golf carts, and future maintenance comes from the district.
The golf carts are emblazoned with the Creek logo and are painted with the school colors. “We have these four nice golf carts, and they’re all matching,” Ferguson said. “They just look put together.”
