A massive redevelopment of the Cedar Valley Golf Course has been proposed, to include its rebranding as an internationally recognised Jack Nicklaus championship course.
Minister of Tourism & Economic Investment Asot Michael laid out the proposal on Thursday, which he said was valued at US $130 million.
Michael said government would soon meet with the principals of the group which submitted the proposal, after which it hoped to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU). He merely named them as a “group of specialists with Caribbean experience in golf course, spa and beach resort development”.
According to the minister, the redesign plan of the existing golf course “to a championship standard Jack Nicklaus signature golf course” called for the adjacent development of an internationally branded hotel. He said there would also be a country club and meeting rooms, as well as 60 condominiums.
“Additional features would be a beach club which will be five to 10 minutes’ drive away. The hotel company will provide the management services for the country club and the beach facilities, as well as for the hotel, condominiums and the villas,” Michael added.
The plan calls for the government to contribute the 149 acres comprising the Cedar Valley Golf Course into a joint venture company but also to secure additional private land around the golf course.
“We will have to make arrangements to purchase approximately 40 acres of adjoining land owned by the Shoul family … I don’t think they will be against it, especially as it is for the development of Antigua & Barbuda,” Michael said.
The government has been approved for a loan of EC $6.2 million from the Global Bank of Commerce to buy another 28 acres of land at Royal’s Estate, owned by the Shoul family, to facilitate a housing development near Hodges Bay and Thibou’s.
Meanwhile, the plan for the golf course remains only a proposal.