NEW ORLEANS -- For some golfers, playing at City Park just feels right.

Their options are fewer these days with two courses still down and out after the storm.

But crowds are flocking to the recently re-opened North course – golfers like Gary McMillen, who said it's a true symbol of recovery.

"If you love the game, the courses here have a long history of good play and it's just exciting to be back on a beautiful day," McMillen said.

City Park officials want to keep the tradition going by re-developing the East and West courses.

At a cost of more than $45 million, it would be a major project with plans that include one of the courses being built using an 18-hole championship layout.

Critics are fighting the plan, however, saying they've enjoyed the open green spaces since the storm.

City Park CEO Bob Becker said he has received plenty of feedback from the public. He said Hurricane Katrina is the only reason the area is free now for other activities, such as running and walking dogs.

"The face of the park was those golf courses," Becker said. "They've been golf courses for 80 years. It's not like we're taking a piece of virgin part of the park and developing into golf courses. We're trying to repair and improve the courses that were there and historically have been there."

Some golfers even question the need for a championship course. They're concerned the days of playing an affordable round at City Park could be in jeopardy.

Another big complaint centers on funding for the project.

Some question what percentage of taxpayer dollars will be directed to the project as the current nationwide financial turmoil continues.

Becker said the project will require some tax dollars, but he said private partnerships will play a major role too.

Governor Bobby Jindal's proposed state budget includes a 60 percent cut in park funding Becker said, making it even more critical to get the courses up and running and the dollars flowing.

"Certainly a great part of the park ought to be free,” Becker said. “It ought to be free to the public to use and enjoy and a great part of it is. At the same time, we live in the real world and the government has basically said, 'You have to go out and raise you know $7 of every $10 that you need to operate this park."

Park officials said phase one of the projects would cost around $24 million, a price tag they said already is in reach because of money the park already has on hand.

The park's Board of Commissioners will have the ultimate say on all of the plans.

Becker hopes for a vote within the next two months.

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