The Town of Qualicum Beach has reached a conditional agreement to purchase the Eaglecrest Golf Course lands for $8.5 million.
If the sale goes through, 40 per cent of the 42.5-hectare parcel would be converted to forested parkland, featuring walking trails and restored habitat, with the remainder to include a nine-hole golf course and housing.
The plan is to fund the purchase through the sale of up to 10 per cent of the property for housing.
The town would act as the initial developer through subdivision of the land and the creation of development guidelines, in consultation with the community.
The financing arrangement also includes the sale of town-owned land in the area.
Should the purchase not be completed, funds from the sale of the land is expected to go toward other work in the community.
The site currently has a nine-hole golf course, but used to have an 18-hole layout that was established in 1971.
The course is currently run by the Semiahmoo Golf Centre Ltd.
Qualicum has until Nov. 1 to finalize the land purchase.
“Importantly, no development decisions have been made and no land will be transferred until public input is gathered and due diligence is complete,” the town said.
Qualicum Beach Mayor Teunis Westbroek called the prospect of buying the property “a once-in-a-generation opportunity to regain control of lands that matter to our town and its residents.”
“We’re committed to ensuring the purchase reflects the values of our community and delivers significant public benefit to current and future generations.”
Luke Sales, Qualicum Beach director of planning and community development, said the purchase would allow the town to protect and expand parkland, and to preserve “a valued historical community hub” while creating housing options for residents.
Consultation with the public will start in August and run through October, and include open houses and community meetings.
A traffic study and preliminary site planning will be part of the process.
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