There was an exchange of words between a Peachland councillor and a developer at council’s Sept. 10 meeting over a delay in building a golf course as part of The Pines at Ponderosa development.
Romspen Investment Corporation asked to extend two amenity completion dates within the phasing strategy for the neighbourhood. The golf course was to be completed and operating by Nov. 1, 2025, and a connection between Sommerset Road and Ponderosa Drive was to be done by May 2024.
Rompsen requested an opening date of Nov. 1, 2026, for the golf course and a completion date of Nov. 1, 2025, for the road connection.
Councillor Alena Glasman pointed out the company was already four months past one deadline.
“We are now in September 2024 and they’re coming back to the table begging forgiveness rather than asking for permission,” she said. “Why are we doing this?”
Romspen's Richard Weldon, appearing by video, took exception to the comments, noting the company has $40 million invested in the project which includes the building of more than 400 homes.
“So any idea that we’re running away or doing anything is ludicrous,” he said.
He added that Romspen has been working with the district for the past several months to clarify the phasing development agreement.
“I don’t know if everyone will agree but it’s one of the worst drafted documents I’ve ever seen. I don’t think it’s being unfair to try and get something clarified when it’s not clear.”
Weldon said the company has no intention to delay the development and is trying to move forward.
“Romspen hasn’t pulled a nickel out of this in the last six, seven years and we’re sitting with a $40 million debt, which maybe nobody cares about, but we certainly do, and we have our people to report to.”
Glasman countered that her comments were not suggesting that Romspen would pull the plug on the project.
“We’ve already seen multiple developments do that, I’m not going to assume,” she said, asking why additional time wasn’t considered for the golf course design and build.
Weldon said there were no approvals or permits at the time, and referred to a lack of detail in the phasing agreement.
“We had to negotiate a new agreement. We took this property over in 2018 and six years later we haven’t been able to do anything.”
He applauded the current council for trying to break the log jam Romspen has been stuck with.
“The district has been fair and it’s taken a while but we have clarifications, and I apologize that it’s taken this long.”
Mayor Patrick Van Minsel pointed out that plans for a Greg Norman designed 18-hole course for the property fell apart more than 10 years ago.
“We finally have somebody who has the intention to build and I will go with the recommendation and get this done.”
Council voted to grant the extensions. Coun. Rick Ingram recused himself from the discussion and vote noting a perceived conflict of interest.
The mayor also questioned Weldon about completing landscape work at The Trails, another Romspen project, and when it might be finished.
“I’ve been contacted by many people living there and nothing’s happened yet,” Van Minsel added. “They’re concerned and I share their concern.”
Weldon said he expects the work to be done in the next four to six weeks.
