County OKs golf community in Eureka
Second such subdivision approved this year
By LYNNETTE HINTZE
The Daily Inter Lake
Lincoln County Commissioners have given a green light to the 360-acre Indian Springs development two miles north of Eureka.
The upscale subdivision - 343 lots at full build-out - is proposed by Dave Rogers of Fernie, British Columbia, and Neil Longhurst of Florida, who have formed Rogers-Long Development Co.
It's the second golfing community approved this year by the commissioners. The Wilderness Club, a 545-acre secluded development near the Canadian border, plans to break ground May 5.
Indian Springs is focused around a public 18-hole golf course. Lots range from 3,920 square feet to 9.2 acres and will include 199 single-family, three condominium, seven commercial and 134 townhomes/motorcoach lots.
Although public hearings for the Wilderness Club drew a fair amount of opposition from neighbors, the Indian Springs project has been much more accepted because of the developers' willingness to become a part of the community, Commissioner Marianne Roose said.
"It was a whole different atmosphere," she said about the Indian Springs public hearing in Eureka. "These two gentlemen sat up to the table with the rest of us. Their goal is to blend in."
Roose said she believes the Indian Springs developers have shown a genuine concern for the Eureka community, noting how school officials have approached them about accommodating swimming lessons in an indoor pool planned for the property.
About 187 acres will be set aside as open space - 100 acres for walking trails and 87 acres for the golf course.
Indian Springs will be primarily second homes for its residents. About 22 to 66 of the homes would be year-round.
The subdivision would be built out during 10 years.
Roose said there were questions about the impact on local aquifers, but she added that the developers assured the commissioners they would work with state water officials to provide proper water monitoring.
The project is still subject to recommendations from the Lincoln County Planning Department. The county recently appointed its first Planning Board, an advisory group that will be up and running in about three months.
AT THE Wilderness Club, plans for a charitable foundation to benefit the greater Tobacco Valley community will be announced at a sod-turning event May 5.
"The Wilderness Club Foundation is one way that we can be a good neighbor and give back to the people of this community," Hardy Nielsen, president and chief executive officer of the Calgary-based Norcal Group, said in a prepared release.
Norcal is the developer of the Wilderness Club.
For each sale of a home site or cabin, Wilderness Club will donate $1,000 to the foundation. Details about how the funds will be managed and distributed to area organizations still are being worked out, Nielsen said.
In addition, the Wilderness Club is developing plans to become "a Big Brother" to John's Course, a local no-greens-fee golf course for the handicapped.
The Wilderness Club will feature an 18-hole golf course designed by golfing legend Nick Faldo. The first phase of development will include 75 home sites and 5 luxury cabins. Prices for the home sites will start at $250,000. The cabins will start at $700,000.
At completion, the development will encompass 272 home sites, from one-third acre to more than two acres, and 47 luxury cabins. On-site amenities will include a golf clubhouse and spa, a Lake Club, and "Camp Wilderness," featuring swimming, tennis and other recreational activities.
Sales centers are now open in Whitefish and Calgary, Alberta.
Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com