The former DeMamiel Creek Executive Golf Course will likely open this spring, if the SEAPARC land acquisition referendum for the property passes April 30, say local politicians.
Sooke Electoral Area Parks and Recreation Commission, also known as SEAPARC, is seeking to buy the golf course for $1 million to secure land for future recreation, which includes soccer fields, ball diamonds and other recreational services.
The golf course would be operated by a private contractor, and would remain open until a plan is in place for the property.
“The commission has stated it will look at it to operate as a golf course because we don’t have a ton of capital funds to go and build a field of dreams complex right now,” said Sooke Coun. Bev Berger, a member of the commission.
Other commission members, including Sooke acting mayor Rick Kasper and Juan de Fuca Electoral Area director Mike Hicks, who is also SEAPARC chair, say there has been a strong lobby from area residents to keep the golf course operating.
DeMamiel Creek, at 6518 Throup Rd., is the only golf course in the Sooke region.
“People want the golf course,” Hicks said. “They’re saying, ‘I’ll support [the referendum] if we’re using it as a golf course.’”
SEAPARC is expected to advertise for a contractor, who will operate the golf course on a break-even basis.
“Once we know the results of the referendum, SEAPARC would aggressively try to figure out what we are going to do,” Hicks said.
“We would try to get a contractor as soon as possible. We don’t want money, just take it on.”
Hicks warned SEAPARC wants to use the property over the long term for sports fields, and once plans are in place, which he said could be anywhere from six months to 20 years, the golf course would likely be phased out.