Kenton County taxpayers are getting a $1.5 million driving range overhaul funded entirely by the private operator, after the Fiscal Court voted at its Aug. 11 meeting to extend its management deal with Indigo Sports through Dec. 31, 2045.

The 19-year extension, structured as a second amendment to the county's original 2019 license agreement, commits Indigo to spend $1.5 million upgrading the practice facilities at The Pioneer and The Willows courses in Independence. In return, the Scottsdale, Arizona-based company (a subsidiary of golf management giant Troon) keeps operating the county-owned courses with two additional five-year renewal options.

As we reported Aug. 7, the lease extension was on the agenda for the court's Tuesday meeting. Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann presided over the session at the Historic Kenton County Courthouse in Independence.

According to LINK nky, which covered the meeting, Troon vice president of operations Nick Bednar told commissioners the upgrades will include ball-tracking technology (such as Trackman or TopTracer) for roughly 14 bays, safety netting, re-grading to create a "stadium" feel, new drainage and irrigation, expansion to approximately 25 teeing stalls and a covered, heated structure for year-round use.

"This range is going to be really, really cool," Bednar told the court. "We think probably the premier driving range in Northern Kentucky when it's done."

A new pavilion seating about 150 people will also be added, giving the facility room to host multiple outings at once. The existing clubhouse seats only about 120.

Bednar said construction on the range will begin after mid-October, when the golf season winds down. Clubhouse upgrades follow shortly after. Indigo must spend the full $1.5 million within 18 months of the amendment's effective date, subject to county approval.

Financial performance since 2019

The numbers behind the extension tell the story of rapid growth. Under Indigo's management since 2019, annual rounds have climbed from roughly 55,000 before 2020 to more than 80,000 in three of the past four years. Overall facility revenue has grown from $2.15 million in Indigo's first year to an estimated $3.4 million in 2026.

Driving range revenue alone jumped from less than $30,000 in 2020 to nearly $80,000 in 2026. Outing participation grew from about 4,000 in 2020 to nearly 14,000 in 2025. Junior golf accounts for roughly 10% of total play.

The county's projected annual rent from the courses: $190,000 in 2026, a direct return on publicly owned assets.

The Fiscal Court's official meeting minutes had not been posted as of Aug. 14. The individual vote count and how each commissioner voted have not been made public. Residents can check for updated minutes at the county's Agenda Center.