The Prince George Golf and Curling Club has sold its property on North Nechako Road, ending a chapter in the club's history which could have seen it leave its iconic location.
After the mountain pine beetle devastated about three quarters of the 9,000 trees at the course at the juncture of highways 16 and 97 the club considered pulling up stakes and moving to a new piece of property.
Some work was even done on the site, including logging and the shaping of at least two holes. However plans on how to redevelop the current golf course lands never materialized as planned and the club decided to change course and stay right where it is.
In an email to members Wednesday signed by the board of directors, the club said it had sold the property located near North Nechako Road and Foothills Boulevard, but didn't disclose the buyer or the price..
"Since that relocation is no longer part of our strategic plan, the board saw the sale as a chance to further reduce the club's debt," the email said.
Club president Dan Martin did not return a call seeking comment on the sale and the club's future plans.
The club started actively trying to sell its current location in 2005 after buying the 853-acre North Nechako site for $1.6 million. At the time plans were to build a clubhouse and 18-hole golf course, with the possibility of adding either nine more holes or an 18-hole par-3 course.
After initially accepting a $15 million offer for its current site from Grande Prairie, Alta., based Pomeroy Group in 2005, the club was sent back to the drawing board when the two sides ended up in court.
The club then appeared close to a deal in 2006 when an auto mall was tabbed for part of the site,however the economic downturn in 2008 scuttled that plan.
Afterwards the club had trouble finding a buyer due to the uncertainty of how the municipal government would react to the required zoning changes. As recently as last year talks between the club, city officials and possible developers were ongoing and a neighbourhood plan was developed.
