British ColumbiaTown councillors in Qualicum Beach, B.C., have voted to rezone the Eagle Crest Golf Course land — a step that was needed for them to decide on the purchase before Nov. 1.Vancouver Island town says most residents approve the sale, but some have concerns around process, financingMaryse Zeidler · CBC News · Posted: Oct 23, 2025 1:15 PM EDT | Last Updated: 41 minutes agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutes The Town of Qualicum Beach is proposing to buy the Eagle Crest Golf Course and convert it into housing, parkland and a nine-hole golf course. (Town of Qualicum Beach)Town councillors in Qualicum Beach, B.C., have voted to rezone the Eagle Crest Golf Course land — a step that was needed for them to decide on the purchase before Nov. 1. At a meeting Wednesday, councillors in the community about 50 kilometres north of Nanaimo voted in favour of staff recommendations on the rezoning process, after discussion on a few key points around density and building height in some sections. They also voted to delay decisions around the town’s official community plan until after a decision about the golf course is made. Qualicum Beach director of planning Luke Sales told councillors the rezoning process was meant to provide a broad overview of what the town would do with the golf course, but could be amended as needed at a later date. Read more news from Vancouver Island”The future is still entirely within the town’s control,” Sales said. A map shows the proposed future uses of the Eagle Crest Golf Course. (Town of Qualicum Beach)The town first proposed in July that it had reached a conditional agreement to purchase the nine-hole golf course for $8.5 million. Plans for the property include housing, parkland and a refurbished golf course.Officials say money from the development and sale of homes on the golf course would go towards the purchase. Last month, an anonymous donor pledged $2.1 million if the town keeps 40 acres, or about 16 hectares, of the 42.5-hectare property as parkland. On the project’s website, the town says the purchase “offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to guide the future of a major land parcel in a way that benefits residents today and for years to come.” Hundreds of residents have attended open house presentations and a public hearing about the sale. Town planners have also met with residents and community groups, and offered online surveys. WATCH | Hundreds attend presentation on golf course purchase proposal :Qualicum Beach municipality could buy golf course to build housingThe town of Qualicum Beach, B.C., located north of Nanaimo, is exploring what officials say is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to purchase land for redevelopment. As Claire Palmer reports, the proposal would see an old golf course turned into a housing development and public park while maintaining nine holes of golf.Sales told councillors on Wednesday that most people are supportive of the purchase. However, many residents have voiced concerns varying from worries about procedural fairness and public input to concerns that the plan lacks financial details.Some residents who live near the golf course have said they worry what an influx of new housing could mean for their neighbourhood, and others have said they would rather the money be spent on different town projects.A survey on the proposal with 891 respondents saw 66 per cent of people say they are excited about the idea, 22 per cent say they are concerned and the remainder say they are unsure.Now that the rezoning is complete, councillors will decide on the purchase of the property at an in-camera meeting next week. ABOUT THE AUTHORMaryse Zeidler is an award-winning reporter who covers news from Nanaimo and north Vancouver Island. Have a news tip? You can reach her at maryse.zeidler@cbc.ca.
Qualicum Beach councillors pave the way for town’s purchase of golf course
