A Comox resident is hoping he’s not the only one who would like to see a major land-use shift in the downtown area: to covert the Comox Golf Course to a park once its lease expires.
Former director of finance for the Town of Comox Don Jacquest asked council at its Wednesday meeting to consider a referendum question added to the fall ballot for the municipal election on the future use of the course.
He said most people in Comox don’t use the property, and a public park could enhance the lives of all Comox residents and visitors.
“It really boils down to the amount of potential users. Right now, I think hundreds of people are using it.”
He explained the Comox Golf Club leases the land, with the lease set to expire in 2033. He would like the question to be asked now, due to the implication of a 2014 Official Community Plan bylaw which sees to increase density in the downtown core.
“People living in and near downtown, won’t they want more park space? I know that Comox residents are wary of change, but in 15 years, we can address any concerns the community may have.”
The Comox Golf Course was owned by Robert Filberg, who, in 1966, approached the then-Village of Comox and turned over majority shares of the course to the municipality. He obtained a commitment that the area of the golf course must remain a course or a park.
The Town of Comox is responsible for approving a lease renewal for the Comox Golf Club, and Jacquest said the club will return to council for another lease extension.
“I would like to see the community discuss this before (a lease renewal) happens. (The course) is the most significant geographical feature in downtown.”
Coun. Hugh MacKinnon asked Jacquest if he had spoken with anyone at the club.
“No … I know they won’t want to give up their tenure,” he noted.
Following a question by Coun. Russ Arnott on the number of shares owned privately, Jacquest suggested about 70 are owned by members of the public, and the Town could offer a buy-out.
Following the meeting during public question period, former town councillor Don Davis asked council if they would consider a plebiscite rather than a referendum question on the ballot, which would not require the results to be legally binding.
Council took the information from the delegation under consideration.
