The driving range at the Interbay Golf Center has reopened nine days earlier than expected following a five-week, $1 million renovation according to golfwashington.com.

The improvements include two new ball dispensers, fresh paint for the clubhouse and net poles, and new artificial turf for the golf range. Course management says the recent good weather allowed them to get the work done without any delays and open earlier than expected. The enhancements were funded solely by golf revenues, through the Golf Capital Improvements Fund, part of the City’s 2005-2010 Capital Improvement Plan. In addition, the price of a round of golf  at Interbay is going up just a bit starting April 1, from $13 to $14 on weekdays and from $15 to $16 on weekends. The range is currently open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“The Legislature convenes on January 11 and we’re again facing a massive deficit of nearly $3 billion,” Carlyle said in a press release today. “It’s critical that I hear from our community directly about your views, issues, concerns and thoughts on the budget, taxes, education and other important issues.  I’m asking people to reach out and share your views so I can better represent you in Olympia during these difficult times.”

Coffee hour times and locations:

Queen Anne resident and 36th Legislative District Rep. Reuven Carlyle has invited to residents of Queen Anne and Magnolia to join him at two casual community meetings this Sunday, November 8, where constituents will have the opportunity to share any questions, concerns, criticisms, ideas or thoughts they have on state and local issues. The first meeting will be from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Serendipity Cafe in Magnolia, located at 3222 W. McGraw St. followed by a 10 to 11:30 a.m. meeting at Top Pot Doughnuts in Queen Anne, located at 325 W. Galer St. Rep. Carlyle plans to touch on issues including the economy, education, health care, transportation and technology.

The 36th Legislative District represents the neighborhoods of Belltown, Ballard, Queen Anne, Magnolia, Interbay, Crown Hill, Phinney Ridge, Blue Ridge and Fremont in the Washington State House of Representatives. Rep. Carlyle is holding these meetings as part of a yearlong string of public coffee hours in the neighborhoods he represents in anticipation of the next legislative session, which will begin on Monday, January 11, 2010.