The following article was written by Jim Collie, Co-chair of the Save Eaglecrest Task Force, and was first published in the December, 2006, issue of The Eagle Eye, a newsletter of the Eaglecrest Residents' Association.
Since the November 2006 distribution of the Special Edition of the Eagle Eye, the "Save Eaglecrest Task Force", co-chaired by Marlys Diamond and myself, has been very busy.
We have had further meetings with Mayor Westbroek to ensure Town Council maintains the continued strong support that was committed at the Civic Centre meeting, and subsequently in various press releases. We also discussed the E.R.A.’s recommendation for a new bylaw. Its intent is to ensure that any vacant (unused) golf course land would be maintained to a significantly higher standard than is required by current bylaws. We have been extremely pleased with the support provided by the Town and it is hoped the new bylaw will soon be in place.
The Task Force continues to pursue all opportunities to purchase the golf course as a community member-owned course. We have been actively collecting golf course data from many sources and are well down the road in the development of a full business plan. This option will require the financial support of the community as well as golfers, but will really only be available to us if the selling price reflects the true market value of the property as a golf course. We have had many discussions with the Sales Agent and lately with the prospective purchaser, the Kim family, on this issue. To date both parties are only prepared to entertain a selling price that reflects increased "value" resulting from residential development. We now know that the motivation for the potential purchase of the property is the profit derived from development. We cannot support any development options that would jeopardize the long-term commitment to a sustainable 18-hole golf course.
The "due diligence" period for the purchase by the Kim family ends on Dec 22nd, 2006 and they have a decision to make: purchase the property and operate it as a golf course (which is unlikely); sit on the investment and hope Eaglecrest residents will eventually cave in; or pull out of the deal and find some other less-determined community to send their bulldozers. If the latter happens we would then have an opportunity to approach the manager of the Operating Engineers Pension Plan with ways to keep the golf course open.
It looks like the work of the "Save Eaglecrest Task Force" will continue well into the New Year. We have set up a "blog" at http://saveeaglecrestgolf.blogspot.com to post updates. You can also use this blog to submit your comments.
We continue to look for financial support to ensure we are able to fund the expected legal and/or pre-purchase costs. Further donations are welcome. Cheques should be made payable to "Save Eaglecrest Fund" and sent to Mr. Jim Gillies, 1305 Leeward Way, Qualicum Beach. V9K 2M1 (‘Phone 250-752-1178)
No comments:
Post a Comment