Crowbush golf course sale hit by 'complications'

The Island’s tourism minister says "complications" have emerged as the province tries to sell its top golf course, but maintains a deal is still possible.

Talks dealing with the Links at Crowbush Cove continue, but negotiations aren’t going as quickly as Tourism Minister Rob Henderson had expected a month ago.

"You're dealing with a vast piece of property," he said. "You're dealing with environmental issues around the properties, you're dealing with boundaries disputes around the properties, you’re dealing with accommodations."

There are some complications, he said, including around the Rodd Resort, which is owned by the Rodd family.

And the Mi'kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island insists it be consulted on any sale, as the course sits on Crown Land and that makes it subject to First Nations treaty rights.

Henderson said he hopes the course is sold in the "immediate future," and he’s not aware of any potential buyers getting cold feet.

Opposition Leader Steven Myers has questions about the sale and points out that Premier Robert Ghiz made a commitment in 2007 to sell four provincially owned golf courses.

"He’s finding out that it’s not that easy to sell a golf course and they jumped in to it so quickly and they're in over their heads suddenly," Myers said.