Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/137861
6/18/13 11:38 AM INDUSTRY NEWS Page 1 BY TIM PETRUK IMAGE CREDIT HUX.NET / COURTESY TOBIANO wcta12jj--rev BANK ACCEPTS OFFER TO BUY TOBIANO After nearly two years in receivership, Tobiano appears to have a buyer. "There is an offer that's been made on the golf course and it's been accepted by the bank," Quentin Granger, Tobiano's general manager, told KTW. "It's two private buyers — one from the Edmonton area and one from the United States." Granger said it's still early in the process and details — as well as a closing date — are being ironed out. The award-winning golf course, located 20 minutes west of Kamloops on the Trans-Canada Highway, was listed in 2012 for a sale price of $5.5 million — separate from the larger Tobiano development. Granger said those private buyers — and others — have also been kicking the tires of the development as a whole. "At this moment in time, the offer is just for the golf course," he said. "But, I understand the same people and others are interested in the entire development potentially XXX as well." Last year, a judge awarded the Business Development Bank of Canada — Tobiano's current owner — the right to market the golf course separate from the larger residential development. According to court documents, Pagebrook Inc. and Kamlands Holdings Ltd. — both companies owned by Mike Grenier, Tobiano's original developer — were $26-million in debt at the time the development was forced into receivership. Granger said he expects 2013 TURFGRASS RESEARCH CONTRIBUTORS Thanks must go to the organizations, companies and individuals who have made generous contributions to turf research through both donations and supporting events and functions like our Silent Auction ( $10,901.00) and 50/50 draw. We would of course like to specially thank those who serve on our Research Committee (see list below) 2013 Turfgrass Research Committee Keith Lyall - Sun Peaks Resort (WCTA President) Stephen Kerbrat - Smithers Golf Club (BCGSA Representative) Peter Sorokovsky - City of Burnaby (Chair) Mark Dalton - Meadow Springs Country Club (NTA Representative) David Davidson - Kwantlen Polytechnic Ladd Legeyt - Agrium Advanced Technologies University David Duncan - THP Co. (WCTA Past President) (Industry Representative) David Woodske - BC Ministry of Agriculture Dr. Michelle Gorman - City of Victoria (Special Consultant) Dr. Brian Holl - Lamorna Enterprises Elizabeth Hudgins - (Special Consultant) to have more information about the pending sale later this week. After nearly two years in receivership, Tobiano appears to have a buyer, with a joint offer from an Edmonton-area and a United States investor having been accepted by the Business Development Bank of Canada, the owner of the award-winning golf course. Reprinted with permission from Platinum ($2000 Or More) BC Golf Superintendents Association Kwantlen University Turf Club Gold ($500-$1999) Peter Sorokovksy's 'Give Me 5 Bucks' campaign Silver (Under $500) Jim O'Connor - Rivershore Golf Course Hugh Norris - City of Surrey Jim Boeckman - Dawson Creek G&CC rent Barry Evans - Kelowna GC Cur 165.85 $15, Geraldine Atchison - In Memory of Len Heyworth Jeff Hoyem Fred Halldorson - Grassmaster Karen Hounsome - Eljay Irrigation Tim Tripp - Neudorff North America Irrigation Industry of BC Kwantlen University 20000 15000 10000 50000 to open in September 2014. school facilities (available)," said Construction Begins On New said Mayor Doug Findlater. West Kelowna Sportsfield "West Kelowna identified this project Central Okanagan Board of Education Westside-Kelowna MLA Ben Stewart. By Wade Paterson; Reprinted with permission from Kelowna Capital News Chopped trees lined the area surrounding the site of the future Rosewood Sports Field Thursday as politicians announced the official start of construction on the project. Rosewood Sports Field will be the first full-size soccer facility in the north end of West Kelowna. "We have a shortage of playing fields in the district, we hear that all the time from the demographic that uses them," as a priority in the 2012 budget…it will provide opportunities for practices, games and tournaments for about 1,100 children in the Westside youth soccer society, students in School District 23 and men and women who compete in adult soccer leagues." The district will fund $508,000 of the $908,000 cost from its reserves. The Central Okanagan School District and the DWK have worked together on planning development of the site, which will include an adjacent elementary school. Both the school and field are set chair Moyra Baxter said the project serves of a good example what can be accomplished when governments combine resources. "Elementary school students will truly reap the benefits of this partnership by having access to a first-rate, full-size soccer field for physical education and play," said Baxter. The provincial government is providing $400,000 for the sports field construction through the Community Recreation Program. "A lot of times, there aren't really the "We transport our kids over to the Mission Sports Fields, out to Rutland or out to Lake Country. This is going to be a new opportunity for the Westside." Stewart added the new West Kelowna field is the type of project the province had in mind when it announced $30 million in funding through the Community Recreation Program. "We wanted to support projects that support healthy living and community engagement for British Columbians. Fields like this play a significant role in that." WESTERN CANADA TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 17