Clublink partnering with developers to redevelop Kanata Lakes golf course

Fight continues over west-end golf course Community members are rallying to oppose the redevelopment of Kanata Lakes golf course. CTV's Mike Arsalides reports.

The owner of a major golf club in Kanata says it’s partnering with developers to redevelop the land. The announcement is not sitting well with residents in the community. Nobody has a better look at the 9th hole of Kanata Lakes Golf Club than Des Adam.

“You can't change the heart of a community - which you would be doing if you change this.” said Adam who served as Kanata’s mayor from 1985 to 1991.

Adam has lived in his home backing onto the course for 28 years and said he thought he'd never see this day. “I'm really disappointed in Clublink” said Adam.

The owners of the club, Clublink are trying to turn the golf course into a lucrative real estate opportunity; partnering with local developers Minto Communities and Richcraft Homes.

There is however a disagreement between residents and Clublink over whether they have the right to develop. Adam says the land in the area is protected greenspace.

“Within that agreement, there is clauses in there that contemplate the potential for re-development. So all we're doing is exploring this with the city” said Robert Visentin, Senior Vice President of Investments at Clublink; the largest golf club owner and operator in Canada.

Clublink said it has three current re-development projects in Ontario; including, Glen Abbey Golf Club; one of the country’s most prestigious and historic clubs, in Oakville. The re-development project has been met with pushback from the community and is four years into the process.

“It's nuts...It's an affront to everyone in this area.” said Adam. The former said the community is fixing for a long fight and won’t be pushed around.

“This one is not going to go away. We're not going to forget and there is a lot of people around who know this very, very well.” said Adam.

Clublink said it hopes to work with the city and residents of Kanata to build something everyone will be proud of in the community; planning to conduct public consultations in the coming weeks and months.

“Everybody likes to have their view and unfortunately that's not something you can have in permanency unless you own it.” Visentin said Clublink has partnered with Minto Communities and Richcraft Homes to “pursue options for alternative use of the golf course lands...Participation levels have declined and people are playing less golf while operating costs continue to rise,” Visentin said. “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.”

The exact plan for the land has yet to be determined. ClubLink says it will be consulting the community starting in early 2019.

The company says there is a demand for more housing in the area. They will continue to operate the course as normal while the consultation process takes place.

ClubLink says it does not yet have the proper zoning to redevelop the land, but will be seeking that through its discussions with the City.

“This process will also be carried out in close collaboration with City of Ottawa officials to ensure the plan is supportive of the City’s priorities of liveability and smart growth,” ClubLink says.

According to a page of frequently asked questions, Club Link responds to questions about the 40% greenspace agreement for the area.

"The 40% agreement dates back more than 35 years and has provisions to allow for redevelopment of the golf course lands," ClubLink says.

-with files from Newstalk 580 CFRA