Residents like idea of golf course on P.E.I. site where Confederation Bridge parts were built
'I hope the community rallies around this proposal,' developer tells meeting crowd
About 100 people turned out to hear from the developer behind the idea for a new golf course at the Confederation Bridge fabrication yard in Borden-Carleton on Thursday evening, and many seemed in favour of it.
Kris Taylor wants to buy the land, which is currently owned by the province, and turn it into a links-style golf course.
The 45-hectare site was used in the 1990s during construction of the bridge that links P.E.I. and New Brunswick but has sat idle ever since.
"I think the meeting went really well," Taylor told CBC News after the meeting ended. "I felt it was very well received."
Taylor is fresh off converting a former Catholic church in Hunter River into a condo project. He's a former competitive golfer as well as a pharmacist, and with his wife operated Harmony House as an entertainment venue for a decade.
No one spoke out against the Borden-Carleton golf course idea at the meeting, but several people rose to say they supported it.
Resident Greg Paynter said he thinks the community would benefit from having the golf course.
It's going to draw people into our community and maybe put Borden back on the map again.— Greg Paynter
"It's going to draw people into our community and maybe put Borden back on the map again," he said
It's a shame to see the property not being used and it's an exciting opportunity, Paynter said.
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Jillian O'Halloran, a former resident who also works in the tourism industry, also spoke in support of the plan.
"This golf course would bring a sense of community like no other business would," said O'Halloran.
"[It] would bring a lot of youth retention to the area. Golf is not a stuffy sport any longer. I feel very strongly that this would bring a passion and a drive for youth in the community of Borden."
Not just golf but an 'experience'
Taylor called the location unique, and said playing there would be an experience in itself, beyond the game.
"The seascapes and the views from that property, specifically, are fabulous," he said. "I also want to show the history of that site."
He said if the golf course were to go ahead, it would be up there with other top courses in P.E.I., and so help local businesses and bring in tax revenues for the municipality and the province.
Environmental protection, housing discussed
During his presentation, Taylor said the site has had no environmental plan and he feels at least some of the erosion that has happened there was preventable.
There is water draining off the property, and the freeze/thaw cycle of that water has led to more erosion of the cliffs, he said.
Taylor said he'd like to build a moat-like system to prevent the water from draining off.
"The last 27 years, this property has been, I would have to say, neglected, from my point of view," said Taylor.
"There would be no better company to own that land than a company that can't survive unless they take care of the coastal erosion."
Taylor said the site could also include two 24-unit residential buildings, as part of a second phase of development for the property.
Housing would automatically follow from a popular recreational attraction drawing more people and youth to live in the community, he said, and a couple of plots of land would be set aside for that.
Community support key
Seeing the support from the meeting, Taylor said he is feeling optimistic about the plan.
He asked residents to attend any future town meetings, and if other proposals come forward, he hopes they speak out in favour of the golf course.
He said if the province approves of his vision, the course could potentially open in 2026.
Sam MacPhail, the executive director of Golf P.E.I., told CBC News this month that a golf course in Borden-Carleton would offer something different from the Island's current roster of courses.
"I think the coolest view would be looking off the green, looking at the Confederation Bridge."
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