City councilors voted Tuesday to sell Arrowdale Golf Course and use the proceeds to create affordable housing.
The operations and administration committee vote 8-3 in favour of a motion put forward by Coun. Jan Vanderstelt to sell the 49 acres of golf course property bounded by Stanley, Elgin and Rawdon streets.
Voting in favour of the resolution were councilors Vanderstelt, Greg Martin, John Sless, John Utley, Joshua Wall, Dan McCreary, Rick Weaver and Mayor Kevin Davis. Voting against were councilors Cheryl Antoski, Richard Carpenter and Brian VanTilborg.
The decision requires final approval at the city’s next council meeting on Dec. 17.
The vote came after a lengthy, emotional debate attended mostly by Arrowdale supporters.
The sale of the golf course was among the Top 13 opportunities identified in a consulting report to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of services provided by the city.
The report said sale of golf course would “result in annual operating efficiencies, avoidance of future capital investment in the upkeep of the facility and provide significant capital funds.”
Vanderstelt said the property would sell for at least $21 million and, when redeveloped, would generate annual property taxes of about $3 million.
Proceeds from the sale will be used to create affordable housing in the city. A portion of the property is to be retained for parkland and property tax revenues generated from the redevelopment is to be transferred annually to a reserve fund to be used for affordable housing.
“It’s a brilliant solution to an ongoing (affordable housing) crisis,” Vanderstelt told those gathered in the council chamber. “The Brantford around you has changed.”
