They may not recreate the feel of a day on the links, but for seniors used to braving long walks across icy parking lots, new golf cart shuttles at the Tooele and Grantsville seniors centers will be a welcome addition.

The carts will pick up seniors at their vehicles and drive them to the entrance of the centers, or vice versa. The carts were needed because the growing popularity of the two centers has caused their parking lots to be full at certain times during the day, resulting in seniors having to park far from the center and walk long distances, according to Butch Dymock, director of aging and adult services for Tooele County.

"Some people now have to park so far away from the center, and I worry about them parking as far away as they do because it's such a far walk for them," he said. "I had told the county commissioners about the need for golf carts, and they said it was a good idea and agreed to have them delivered. Anything that prevents accidents here is good for us. The biggest problem now is figuring out where to keep the carts and how to keep them charged up."

The centers also need volunteers to drive the carts, Dymock said.

"We'd like to get enough volunteers in the community for both Tooele and Grantsville to have them running for at least four hours a day Monday through Friday," he said. "For Monday through Thursday, we would probably run the carts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., which is during our busiest time at the center, and for Friday we would probably run them from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., which is during our Friday evening meal. We'll keep the carts running for as long as they are needed."

The two carts were bought used for a total of $8,260 from Salt Lake City-based Highland Golf. Each cart can carry a total of six passengers with room in the back for wheelchairs, walkers and other accessories.

Dymock said the carts will also keep seniors safer from traffic and ice in the parking lots. He said the carts will serve as a good way to prevent slips and falls in the parking lot.

"These carts will help prevent people from slipping and falling on snow or ice in the parking lot, and we have had that happen in the past," Dymock said. "We want to keep people active and prevent them from falling and getting hurt, or possibly even breaking a hip or leg. As we get more and more people here, we hope even more to make people feel as comfortable and safe as possible."

For more information or to volunteer as a driver at either center, call Dymock at 882-2870, ext. 124.

Doug Radunich: dougrad@tooeletranscript.com