Golf to carry on for now at Markham's York Downs

YorkRegion.com
Aug. 27, 2015
By Michael Hayakawa  

The sale of York Downs Golf and Country Club, worth $412 million to a consortium led by Kylemore Communities and Angus Glen Developments, Metropia and Empire Communities, was officially completed June 30.

While the deal has been signed, sealed and delivered, it does not mean the Unionville private club has closed its fairways.

At least not for the next five years, with the option of a sixth in which York Downs Golf Club holds that option, said Ian Crebbin, York Downs Golf Club head professional.

For now, it remains business as usual on their 412-acre facility, which includes a 27-hole course.

“You can’t even notice that we’re sold,” he said.

In fact, Crebbin was quick to point out their facility continues to make upgrades, as they’ve outlayed close to $22,000 for the purchase of a new beverage cart and $40,000 in their clubhouse.

“There’s been no cutbacks to our service,” he said. “We’re continuing to run our place at a top level for the members and guests.”

Although the club’s closure is imminent, it hasn’t deterred avid golfers from still joining York Downs.

Once the deal was completed, Crebbin said the club added 22 new members who still pay annual dues plus a non-refundable $1,000, including three current National Hockey League players.

“There’s still a lot of golf to be played out. York Downs is still a great place to play.”

Established in 1922, York Downs Golf and Country Club was originally located in North York, at Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue, for 47 years before moving to its current location on 16th Avenue, between Kennedy Road and Warden Avenue.

The golf club recently completed a $4 million renovation of its nine-hole South and West courses.

On the subject of the sale, Kylemore president Patrick O’Hanlon said 80 acres of the property, situated along Kennedy Road and unimpeded by the golf course, will become the first phase of the new community.

Within the York Downs master plan, O’Hanlon said the key will be to ensure new parks, green space and schools are positioned to be conveniently accessible to the wider community.

“We will be looking at integrating and improving the environmental features of the site and working closely with all levels of government,” he said in a news release.

Cailey Stollery, president of Angus Glen Group of Companies and Angus Glen Golf Club, said at the moment they are undertaking numerous studies to better understand the land and its features.

This, she was quick to point out, will take time.

“Once complete, we’ll be bringing a plan forward that reflects all that we’ve gleaned from our many consultations,” she said.