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The Cliffs Over Maple Bay


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#1 VicHockeyFan

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Posted 16 June 2007 - 09:45 AM

I had never heard of this, but it sounds nice.






Golf legend Greg Norman checks on Island project
He's designing Cowichan Valley course
Cleve Dheensaw, Times Colonist
Published: Saturday, June 16, 2007
DUNCAN -- It is the Cowichan Valley's fledgling Bear Mountain. But with better views, if that's possible. And it's possible.

Greg Norman, one of Australia's greatest golfers, hit a tee shot into the air yesterday. He stiffed it like he used to, on the impromptu green of the second hole of the still-under-construction Cliffs over Maple Bay.

The backdrop was stunning, framed by Maple Bay, Quamichan Lake, Mount Prevost and Saltspring Island with the Strait of Georgia and the mainland mountains shimmering in the distance.

"This place is something special," said Norman, the 52-year-old Aussie legend, who has eschewed the Seniors Tour to become a full-time course designer, and whose first site visit here was in 2004.

"They have pulled a course out of this piece of property. You have to admire Warren [Cliffs over Maple Bay president Warren Paulin] for his foresight. Just to start this was a monumental task. It was a tough piece of ground to build on, but now we're ready for irrigation."

Norman was on the Island with tennis legend Chris Evert.

Upon build out, the Cliffs over Maple Bay will consist of 360 detached single-family homes, 345 attached units and a 100-room hotel.

Paulin, a Maple Bay resident and president of the Cliffs development, said the municipality of North Cowichan has given approval for the 70 lots in the first phase and approval-in-principle for the 72-lot second phase. Paulin said a disclosure statement has been filed for the third of the five planned phases of the development. Housing construction is slated to begin this summer.

The developer said 130 lots have been sold to date with prime view lots going in the $499,000 range. Sotheby's International Realty Canada is marketing the project.

The 6,891-yard, par-72 Norman-designed course layout is 90 per cent rough graded with irrigation installation to begin this summer and course completion expected in August 2008. Norman signed off yesterday on the final shape of 15 of the 18 holes and said he made some alterations as suggested by circumstance and topography.

The project isn't as well known as Bear Mountain and Paulin knows that.

"It's hard to get people here [compared to Bear Mountain]," admitted Paulin. "Last year there were some questions [about the development] but this is serious and it is going forward. Once we bring people here to the site to see this, like we did today, they are just amazed."

Despite arriving with Evert, Norman was all business yesterday.

"I am the final say," he said, alluding to the course design.

"My philosophy is that a course has to be playable for all walks of life -- people in their 80s, 90s and even 100s should be able to play this course. It needs to be accessible for everybody, so I don't like to make courses too long. I am currently working on five courses in Canada alone, and have dropped in here today on my way to [courses under development in] Korea, Vietnam and Australia. That speaks volumes to where this game has come."

While Norman is aware of the accessibility factor in his current business within the game, he proved as hard-driven as ever when talking about his status as a golfer. If he can no longer play on the PGA Tour, he isn't interested in anything else in the sport.


"The Seniors Tour doesn't interest me at all," he said, flatly.

Neither, really, does Evert's sport, said Norman, adding he isn't much of a tennis player.

"Chris is a part of my life and we're very, very close and she's even tried to teach me some tennis over the past year," chuckled Norman.

To which Evert quipped: "I told him I'd give him $1 million if he ever beat me in a tennis match."

Norman may not be able to win that million. But yesterday he was busy planning his Island signature-design course with the million-dollar views.
<p><span style="font-size:12px;"><em><span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"I don’t need a middle person in my pizza slice transaction" <strong>- zoomer, April 17, 2018</strong></span></em></span>

#2 Holden West

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Posted 16 June 2007 - 10:12 AM

Developer tees off on Cliffs site

By Peter Rusland
News Leader Pictorial

Jun 16 2007

Developer Warren Paulin is thinking positive and keeping his eye on the ball while building his controversial Cliffs Over Maple Bay residential golf course.

He refutes rumours of selling out for $28 million, and addresses claims of denuding his sprawling site while preparing for Friday’s visit by course designer and golfing legend Greg (The Shark) Norman.

“We have 130 home sites sold in phases one through three, and half of phase two is back on the market with 36 lots,” he says.

The Cliffs’ 705-unit entitlement comprises 360 single-family homes and 345 multi-family and luxury hotel units.

“Our disclosure statement was filed today for phase three offering 30 lots with outstanding ocean views,” he beamed.

Owners of the Cliffs’ 100-unit hotel, worth some $20 million, should be announced inside six months.

Paulin pegs the project’s overall cost at $75 million.

“The end product will be about $450 million in revenues in gross dollars spent.”

But his Cliffs project isn’t being flogged.

“The answer is no. It’s not being sold and it’s not for sale but people are welcome to buy lots.”

Paulin also needs the nod from B.C.’s environment ministry to pump wastewater for grass irrigation from North Cowichan’s sewage-treatment lagoons.

“We have permission from the Joint Utilities Board and right-of-way holders.

“We’re awaiting provincial approval related to environmental impact assessments from Enkon environmental consultants.

“There’ll be zero impact on anything up here.”

He sympathizes with folks claiming the Cliffs has been stripped of trees.

“Unfortunately that was a necessary evil but we’ll replant native species on quite a large area.

“Look at the old (development) plan — it was to be all housing up here but ours is 65 per cent green space and 35 per cent development.

“We took the old plan and made it better. If people can’t wrap their heads around that, that’s their problem,” Paulin said of the project he started in 2005 in consultation with North Cowichan municipal staff.

Registration of more phases for sale is contingent on council receiving a funding deposit for building an all-weather sports field and field house at Maple Bay School.

That clause is part of the original land-use contract Paulin bought from the site’s former owners, says municipal planner Chris Hall.

“The deposit figure is still being worked out,” says municipal consultant Ron Conway.

“A design company is finalizing the park improvements and that will determine the cost of the bond Paulin has to post.”

Meanwhile, Paulin’s pumped about having his par-72 course, North Cowichan’s largest, ready to play by August 2008.

Roads in phase one (Kingsview through from the Properties to Nevilane Drive) should be paved by July 30. Phase two (Viewtop and Highwood) should be blacktopped by October, he says.

“Everything’s going according to Hoyle.”

---------------



Golfing great Greg Norman visited the Island Friday with tennis star Chris Evert.
Debra Brash, Times Colonist


--------------

Greg you dog....



Chris Evert's Ex Wishes Her, Greg Norman 'Happiness'


WEDNESDAY JANUARY 03, 2007 12:45 PM EST

By Jeff Truesdell

Since tennis star Chris Evert split from her husband of 18 years, Andy Mill, she's been spotted with golfer Greg Norman, who had been one of Mill's good friends.
"Beaver, ahoy!""The bridge is like a magnet, attracting both pedestrians and over 30,000 vehicles daily who enjoy the views of Victoria's harbour. The skyline may change, but "Big Blue" as some call it, will always be there."
-City of Victoria website, 2009

#3 valdez12

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Posted 17 June 2007 - 08:13 PM

I dont like it cause some great mountbiking terrain was lost to the golf course... sort of same story as Bear Mountain.

oh well..

#4 Holden West

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Posted 03 June 2008 - 09:17 PM

Money and water woes plague The Cliffs golf resort

Residential and golf resort village granted court-ordered protection
Carla Wilson, Times Colonist
Published: Tuesday, June 03, 2008

The planned residential and golf resort village of The Cliffs Over Maple Bay has run into financial difficulties and is still trying arrange access to water to irrigate its planned 18-hole championship golf course.


"Beaver, ahoy!""The bridge is like a magnet, attracting both pedestrians and over 30,000 vehicles daily who enjoy the views of Victoria's harbour. The skyline may change, but "Big Blue" as some call it, will always be there."
-City of Victoria website, 2009

#5 VicHockeyFan

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Posted 03 June 2008 - 09:27 PM

I blame it on Chris Evert.

#6 Phil McAvity

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Posted 21 July 2008 - 10:14 PM

I'm surprised Norman can't still play in the PGA. I figured golfers had a much longer career than other athletes. Regardless, Norman is not only a great golfer but he's also a pretty shrewd businessman. Those guys in the PGA make good money, but not enough to afford a $70 million yacht, which Norman built a few years ago:









#7 VicHockeyFan

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Posted 21 July 2008 - 10:17 PM

I'm surprised Norman can't still play in the PGA. I figured golfers had a much longer career than other athletes.


He had the three-round lead goin' into Sunday at the British Open, and his eventual finish landed him a free pass into the Masters.

 



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