News Golf Municipal
Proposed golf resort for Kawartha Lakes area being met with environmental opposition

A proposal to build an 18-hole golf course on farmland near Kawartha Lakes, Ont. has neighbouring residents on edge, fearing it could destroy their lives.

Flato Developments, based in Markham, wishes to build a golf resort with housing across 156 hectares of land it owns. In addition to a golf course, the company wishes to build 339 seasonal homes, 84 rental units as well as a clubhouse, restaurant and a refurbished marina.

Flato claims the project will enhance tourism and provide sustained economic growth to the community. Neighbouring residents, however, disagree. They fear a golf resort will lead to increased traffic and a disruption to the existing peacefulness of the area. They are also concerned that pesticide use on the golf course could contaminate their well water and pollute the adjacent lake.

Another concern is that land prices in the area might be driven up if a golf course is constructed.

The golf course is to be designed by Doug Carrick, an architect registered with the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects. Town council has been told at least 25 per cent of the land is slated to be environmentally protected.

A petition opposing the project has been in circulation and had garnered about 300 signatures.