Plum, Oakmont to use $100K USGA investment for outdoor projects

Three weeks after the U.S. Open, Plum and Oakmont officials say they’re preparing to invest donations from the USGA into borough green spaces.

As part of a million-­dollar investment in the region, the two boroughs each received $100,000 to “support green spaces and promote outdoor recreation,” according to USGA Director of Championship Communications Julia Pine.

In Oakmont, council President Nancy Ride said the borough has earmarked the funds for improvements to Riverside Park. Ride said council was seeking to install lights near the park’s basketball and pickleball courts.

In addition to the $100,000 donation, Ride said, Oakmont earned $20,000 by renting Riverside Park as a USGA parking area throughout the tournament.

Though both Oakmont and Plum police, among numerous other law enforcement entities, worked throughout the tournament, Ride said the association footed the week’s labor costs for public safety and traffic crews. That came at a cost of $47,000, she said.

In Plum, Manager David Soboslay said the USGA investment would go toward a gazebo complex memorializing the victims of the Rustic Ridge house explosion that killed six people nearly two years ago.

Among those who perished were the borough’s former manager, Mike Thomas, and former director of community development, Heather Oravitz. Both were involved in organizing the 2016 U.S. Open, Soboslay said.

The gazebo, which the borough announced its intention to construct last August, will sit behind Plum’s municipal center on Mike Thomas Way, surrounded by flowers, shrubbery and blooming trees.

“I think it’s a great thing that we’re doing, and we’re really excited,” Soboslay said.

Since nearly all of Oakmont Country Club is in Plum, the borough was responsible for the extensive inspection process of the temporary structures the USGA constructed throughout the course.

Between the numerous tents and other short-term buildings, the association constructed 700,000 square feet of structures and flooring at the site — around the same total size as Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena.

After tallying the fees involved, Soboslay said, Plum grossed $11,375 from the inspections.

Aside from the two host boroughs, the USGA also invested in countywide golf infrastructure. According to Allegheny County Communications Director Abigail Gardner, the association offered cash donations to the courses at North and South parks as well as Bob O’Connor Golf Course in Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park.

In addition to the cash infusions, Gardner said, the USGA would offer pro bono consulting services for course improvements.