Kanata residents ready to come out swinging over golf course proposal

Hundreds of people are expected to attend a community meeting tonightto discuss the future of the Kanata Golf and Country Club, days after the city pushed back on a redevelopment proposal for the area.

On Friday, the cityfiled a court application to try to force golf course owner ClubLinktouphold a legal agreement made in 1981 by the former City of Kanata, according to Kanata North Coun. Jenna Sudds.

That agreement withCampeau Corp. promised to protect40 per cent of the area for green space the area occupied mostly by the golf course.

"[We've] asked for an expedited trial to have our case heard," said Sudds.

"We're asking that the court uphold the 40 percent agreement ...which indicates that they must maintain it as a golf course. And if they choose not to, they need to turn it over to the city at no cost," said Sudds.

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ClubLink has said previously it does not view the past agreementas legally binding.

According to Sudds, the city's legal counsel has askedthe court to set a hearing date on the matter by Dec. 13.

Redevelopment plans submitted

Earlier this month, ClubLinksubmitted plans to redevelop the 71-hectare coursethat weaves throughKanata, despite months of backlash from longtime neighbours.

Together withlocal developers MintoCommunities and RichcraftHomes, ClubLinkwants to turn half of the golf course into housing.

They've saidthe redevelopment proposal puts theland to better use, given thatfewer people are playing golf while the cost of operating courses continues to rise.

Barbara Ramsay, whose homebacks onto the course, said she's happy to see the city is fighting back against the redevelopment proposal.

It's a huge, huge affront to the community.- Barbara Ramsay

"The city is doing what it should be doing ...It should be acting to protect agreements that it has entered into on behalf of the community," said Ramsay,chair of the Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition.

Ramsay said she's "hopeful" the courts will uphold the 1981 agreement and "push back" on ClubLink's redevelopment application.

"It's a huge, huge affront to the community, and to the quality of life that this community has developed around," said Ramsay.

Monday evening's community meeting will be held at the BrookstreetHotel from 7 to 9 p.m.