News Golf
$250-million bid made to develop Aurora, Ont.’s private Beacon Hall Golf Club

A bid of $250 million has been made by a developer for Aurora, Ont.’s Beacon Hall Golf Club.

The unknown developer’s bid comes a couple of years after two unsolicited offers of similar amounts were received by the private club, creating differing opinions among members. The recent bid has also sparked controversy within the Aurora community, with environmentalists concerned about what development will do for the existing tree canopy and wildlife habitat, and neighbouring residents who are unhappy about the premium prices they paid for their homes to be located next to a high-end golf course.

It has been reported the prospective developer has begun the necessary period of conducting standard legal and geotechnical due diligence at its own cost.

Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas has gone on record as saying the sale of the golf course would be a significant loss to the municipality, adding he hopes Beacon Hall’s members prevent it from happening.

The mayor added the provincial government should be intervening to prevent golf courses from being purchased in this manner, suggesting legislation should be introduced that would give municipalities more power and have a stronger voice in deciding how areas are to grow. Such legislation, he said, would ensure any development would have to conform to local zoning bylaws and rules set out by local conservation areas. Part of the course is located on the Oak Ridges Moraine.

Beacon Hall isn’t the only Aurora golf course to be eyed for development. A Chinese development firm recently purchased the Magna Golf Club, and Highland Gate was sold a number of years ago but has yet to see any building work done.