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A 14-year delay in approving the change of use of Warren Hills Golf Club, has hampered efforts to change the face of the capital.
The transformation would have resulted in a multiple facility with a championship course, indoor sporting facilities, hotel, shops and residential houses.
About US$10 million, which was meant to upgrade Warren Hills Golf Course into a championship course, is gathering dust, while the City Fathers bicker. The development dovetails well into the Liberation City taking shape across Kirkman Drive.
The twin developments were meant to change the face of western Harare.
It would have brought about a hive of activity, which naturally boosts business, promotes tourism and healthy living.
A stone’s throw from the proposed facility is the National Sports Stadium and the Hockey Stadium, and Maranatha Group of Schools, among a host of other supporting infrastructure.
Zimbabwe only has one golf estate, Borrowdale Brooke, out of 11 courses, dotted around Harare.
The redevelopment of Warren Hills Golf Course, into a world-class golfing estate, has been on the cards for 14 years.
The project is a joint venture between Alpha Holdings, owned by property magnate, Ken Sharpe, and Harare City Council, under the Sunshine Holdings title.
“We still do not have a permit for Warren Hills, the change of use is still to be finalised,” said Sharpe.
Sharpe said US$5 million would be used to upgrade the course over a two-year period. The Harare City Council’s environmental management committee has on several occasions approved the change of use, only for it to be shot down by the full Council. The committee had recommended a change of portions of stands 8112, 8113 and 8118 Warren Park Township, and 812 Mabelreign Township from open space and recreation (golf course) to mixed use development (residential, commercial and community facilities).
According to RealNet South Africa, staying on golf estates provides residents with top notch facilities which promote sporty lifestyles.
The majority of golf estates have attendant facilities like squash, tennis, swimming pools and mini dams, for fishing.
“These estates become so much sought-after as buyers get better value for their money,” says the South African real estate website.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter