A Chilly Start to Spring in Central Illinois
By: Alexandra Sutter WMBD/WYZZ
Updated: March 20, 2013
Donovan Golf Course in Peoria is
closed, but it was very different last year on March 20.
Peoria Park District's Golf
Professional Robby Dobelstein said, "It was 53 degrees warmer today last year,
than it is this year."
He said this weather isn't good news
for him. Donovan Golf Course is empty and the ground is soggy. He said, "The
weather hasn't been very accommodating this year."
In fact, it hasn't been accommodating
at all. He said the start of the season is usually the busiest time. "If you
had a really nice day in February, say it was 50 - 55 degrees or so and you
could open a golf course, it'd be one of the busiest days of the year."
A lingering winter means a late start,
and the golf business is feeling it. But Dobelstein isn't alone. The garden
center at Lowe's in East Peoria is also waiting on a warm front.
Store Manager Cory Chandler said, "We've
got a lot of customers that are very eager to get out and I think they kind of
got a little bit of spring fever."
Although customers are ready, and many
are wishing this winter weather away, it's still too soon to stock the shelves
full of plants. Chandler said, "We do a lot of different precautions things to
protect them, but as soon as the weather is here we'll have the plants for sale
and be ready to go."
