ClubLink ready to bulldoze Kanata Lakes golf course in favour of residential development

ClubLink has announced a partnership with Minto and Richcraft Homes as they plan to look at alternative uses for their golf course in Kanata Lakes. 

ClubLink's Senior Vice-President of Investments explained, fewer people are playing golf and high operating costs are a couple of reasons for making drastic changes to the large area of land surrounded by homes that pay a premium for their proximity to a golf course. 

“Golf courses are struggling across the country, and particularly in saturated markets like Ottawa. Participation levels have declined and people are playing less golf while operating costs continue to rise,” said Robert Visentin. “Ottawa is a vibrant, growing city and we believe there is an opportunity to better utilize this 70 hectares of land to meet the interests of the community.”

Ottawa City Councillor for Kanata North Jenna Sudds reacts to the partnership and plans on 1310 NEWS' The Rick Gibbons Show:

Minto officials have said they look forward to contributing to a project that the community can be proud of, while Richcraft says it will be working hard to get it right. 

The news of ClubLink's plans is not sitting well with local community associations. 

Neil Thompson said that people living along the golf course do not want to see this project go through. 

“[Kanata Lakes residents] bought and paid a premium to back on to a golf course, not to stare in the back window of someone's condo.” 

Thompson noted the legal agreements that were made when ClubLink bought the property from the then city of Kanata. 

The conditions include a guarantee of 40 per cent greenspace in Kanata Lakes. The other condition is that the golf course can not be sold for anything other than use as a golf course. If ClubLink does not want to do this, they must sell the property to the city for $1. 

The councillor for Kanata North, Jenna Sudds tells 1310 NEWS that she learned of the plans on Thursday night and went to talk to the Chair of the Planning Committee, Jan Harder, immediately. 

So far, there have been no development applications filed with the city. 

Sudds said she understands why residents would be upset by the prospect of more residential properties as the Kanata Golf and Country Club is more than just a golf course. 

“It's greenspace. It's natural space. It's taken advantage of during the wintertime for cross country skiing, the paths that go through it,” she explained. “This is community space that Kanata North enjoys and cherishes.”

The councillor has increased office hours and plans on spending the weekend, knocking on doors in the area. 

ClubLink along with Minto and Richcraft will be holding community engagement sessions sometime in early 2019.