Closure of Redcliff golf course could shave thousands off property values

“I think you’re talking 10 or 20 thousand dollars that it could affect a home on its value,” says Tim Seitz, president of the Medicine Hat real estate board.

Homeowners living on the Redcliff course could see a big hit to their property values.

Ross Creek golf course in Medicine Hat closed, and is an example of what could happen to the Redcliff course in several years.

Despite that, one man with a property on the course is trying to look on the bright side.

“I think that it might have affected the properties values a little bit,” says Gary Soucey, resident of Ross Glen. “On one hand it’s property values and on the other people who live along the golf course no longer have golf balls and golfers in their backyards.”

Ross Creek closed abruptly because of financial issues, and is still privately owned.

“We were kind of surprised because we thought someone would take it over and keep it running,” says Soucey. “It’s quickly kind of fallen back to nature.”

As a result, the property has stayed exactly the same as when it closed, with the exception of overgrown weeds.

“I think it’s a great place to walk the dog,” says Soucey. “But it’s a bit of an eye sore too because it’s not well looked after.”

The same situation could happen if the Redcliff course closes, depending on what the owner decided to do.

However, the land would be open to new developments, and may even have prime real estate that the town could benefit from.

“It’s a big plot of land so they could set up a sub-division there,” says Seitz. “I mean they wouldn’t want to see it grow into weeds and be a mess, but that land up by the river could be very valuable as well.”

In the meantime, the Riverview golf club plans to work behind the scenes while the course is closed for the season.

The aim is to ensure it’s open to golfers in the Spring.

by Jessie Weisner

Closure of Redcliff golf course could shave thousands off property values

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