End not so near for golf course

Jul 5, 2019 | 2:00 PM

The Royal York Golf Course in Armstrong will not be closing after this season as first thought.

Owner Todd York said the nine-hole course, which has been open for almost 30 years, will remain open through the 2020 season.

The York family earlier put the property up for sale for $7.5 million, according to a listing by Sawchuk Group, due to a downturn in business and in the golf industry.

A conditional deal with Okanagan-based N&T Properties was announced late last year, with N&T saying it planned to turn it into a residential development, incorporating green space, linear parks and recreation opportunities.

In an interview with Vernon Matters, Todd York said decisions are still being made about the future of the property.

Charger rollout

Phased approach planned for EV chargers at Vernon ALC

Apr 24, 2026

Secondary Dwellings

Coldstream considering more housing on agricultural lands

Apr 24, 2026

Wildfire Risks

Okanagan's Fire Danger Rating already up to Moderate

Apr 23, 2026

“The offer and acceptance is confidential at this point so we won’t talk about that part of it, but what we do know for sure is that the golf course will be open, as usual, for the 2020 season,” York said.

York said his family planned to make this the last year for the golf operation.

“Due to the lateness in the season and decisions that are still being made about the future of the property, we know we’ll be open for the 2020 season, and then we’ll make announcements next on what the future will be.”

York said the decision gives everyone some breathing room.

“Things like this take time, and N&T was kind enough to simply say at this point that, regardless of ownership, whether it’s us or them, that we would operate as usual for the 2020 season.”

Andrew Kurbis from N&T Properties said it’s a big project and they are still working through the options and the feasibility analysis.

“We don’t even have a plan of what that’s going to look like, so we can’t really comment on anything because we don’t know ourselves,” Kurbis told Vernon Matters.

Kurbis said despite rumours about massive amounts of lots and houses, they still don’t know the number.

“Because of the size of the project and the time it’s taking to do the due diligence, we all thought it would be best that — of course the York’s do a fantastic job of operating that golf course — and it would be great if they could keep going for at least another year. We’re not in a hurry. We want to do this right,” he said.

Kurbis said the Yorks still own the land at this point in the conditional deal.

Kurbis points out while N&T has the same owners as Kal Tire, they are not the same company.

“Everyone else at N&T is not Kal Tire, other than the ownership structure,” he said.

by Pete McIntyre

View Comments