Former Huntsville Mayor, dentist and developer, Claude Doughty, and an undisclosed partner are taking a run at the ownership of the Muskoka Grandview Resort property.
Doughty is scheduled to meet this Thursday with representatives of the 152 condominium owners who surround the nine-hole golf course on the property. Town and District staff will also be present as well as other stake holders including the Fairy Lake Association.
A rezoning application by ClubLink last summer to develop the golf course was vehemently opposed by the five condominium corporations that represent the owners. They hired a planner and were prepared to fight the application at a public meeting scheduled for November, but it was cancelled. The applicant decided not to proceed at that time, according to Town planning staff.
When Doppler spoke to Doughty in early December, he indicated the sale of the property was still at the due diligence stage. He said if all went well, the deal could close early in the new year.
He would not elaborate on his plans for the property, other than to say: “We have thoughts and ideas but we’re going to start with an engagement of the community and a dialogue around what the vision should be for Grandview and take it one step at a time.”
About ClubLinks’ application, which would have included developing the golf course with condominiums, Doughty said he asked that the application be put on hold. “I asked that that process be put on pause until the transaction closes because I don’t think it’s our intention to go forward with that – with that same sort of an application,” he said.
Paul Smith, President of the Bayside Condominium Corporation, said condominium owners are opposed to losing the golf course. He said it’s affordable, you can walk it and it’s one of the few amenities left. When Delta and ClubLink severed ties in 2012, many of the resort amenities were shut down. But Smith also noted that the area is slowly transforming into a year-round community. He said natural gas is being brought in and a zoning change in 2014 from a tourist commercial to a mixed tourist commercial and residential use has made it so that condominium owners are no longer required to rent their condos a certain number of days out of the year.
Smith welcomes the rejuvenation of the former resort property, which comprises an estimated 85 acres, saying it would be good for the area, provided the golf course stays. “I think that there’s a huge opportunity to continue to transition as a residential lifestyle community and the more amenities they keep or build, the more chances of them being able to sell,” he said, referring to a new housing development.
Smith will be one of two people representing the interests of the condominium owners and said he looks forward to working cooperatively with the prospective new owners.
Doughty said before planning approvals are sought, the intent is to hold several focus group meetings. “Following that we’ll take that input and formulate what our ideas might be for the property. Then we would hold probably a couple of public information sessions with the public and let them come in and see what we’re thinking about as a result of the work with the focus group.”
Doughty said he understands concerns about the loss of the golf course. “We’ll get more input from the focus group as to what their wishes are and what the ultimate vision should be.” He referred to the holes adjacent to Highway 60 as a crown jewel for Huntsville. “It’s a gorgeous area. It probably doesn’t get a huge amount of play from a golfing perspective but it sure looks great, especially with the Christmas season as we’re coming upon it. It used to be phenomenal out there with the Christmas lights… it’s kind of a crown jewel for Huntsville and I think that needs to be kept in mind.”
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This is good news. Grandview is an unique and special property and I am delighted that it may have a chance to stay that way. The conference rooms have hosted many important occasions. The Rosewood restaurant was always one of our favorites. Claude Doughty is the right person to make this happen.