Mayor Michael Regan has guaranteed that 18 holes will remain at Warringah Golf Club
Warringah Golf Club members have been assured of keeping their 18 holes for another 30 years — and upgraded, state-of-the-art facilities — in a deal being negotiated over the lease of the site.
Manly
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MAYOR Michael Regan has guaranteed that 18 holes will remain at Warringah Golf Course for 30 years, saying facilities for all sports would be enhanced as part of a deal being negotiated with a developer.
In a confidential session of Tuesday night’s Northern Beaches Council meeting, all tenders to lease the District Park sport precinct were dismissed but the best candidate, publicly-listed Arena REIT was selected to enter into negotiations.
ASX300-listed Arena’s tender was a joint bid with ClubLinks, the company that runs Moore Park golf course.
“The lead tenderer proposes innovative use of the spaces with impressive upgrades for all existing sport users, including 18-hole golf as promised, enhanced additional facilities such as a cafe, mini golf, allied health centre and over 300 car spaces,” Cr Regan said.
The tender “also includes a proposal for state-of-the-art technology such as indoor golf simulators”.
It would include a world-first virtual game called Smart Par Three Golf “using playsight technology” which captures shots from multiple angles for both golf and tennis.
The 62ha site in Manly Vale is between Condamine St and Pittwater Rd. Along with the golf club, it includes North Manly Bowling Club, Warringah Recreation Centre, rugby league and futsal facilities.
Warringah Golf Club president Scott Campbell said it was difficult to grasp that they could not be managing the grounds for the first time in 86 years.
“There are indications that Arena will incorporate us in some shape but the members feel a bit let down after 86 years of running the course,” he said.
“There was a great deal of disappointment when I sent around messages to all our members and also a great deal of concern for our staff, many of whom have been there for more than 20 years.”
But yesterday, Cr Regan said the company wanted to keep the club involved.
“We understand Warringah Golf Club is concerned, but a key part of the ClubLinks proposal is to work with Warringah Golf Club to ensure the members benefits are enhanced and council will continue to set the fees for golf.”
He said it was envisaged the club would have a clubhouse presence on the course.
Warringah Golf Club’s bid, with Next Generation Gym and Tennis NSW, was the second-preferred option and will enter into negotiations if the council cannot agree with Arena.
“There is a bit of apprehension because it is unknown but it all sounds very positive it is very encouraging for us and my members,” Mr Campbell said.
The site has been mired in controversy since 2016, when the Manly Daily revealed a plan by then council administrator Dick Persson to replace either all or half of Warringah golf course with more sporting fields. Almost every councillor elected in September last year had an election promise to retain 18 holes on Warringah golf course.
Club vice-president Steve Springall said the club needed more details.
“A little bit of knowledge is dangerous when we don’t know in totality what is going to happen,” he said.
“Yes, the 18-hole course commitment is good but we don’t know what that entails from the Arena side of things until we meet them.”