The future of the Island View Golf Centre could be full of spirits under a proposal to turn the former driving range into a craft brewery and distillery.
Visitors would be able to sample and buy craft beer and distilled liquor, according to new owners Valerie and Mark Lindholm, who plan a transformation of the strip of land along the Pat Bay Highway. Their plans include renovations and possible additions to the former clubhouse with large windows to reveal equipment used in brewing and distilling operations.
A 78-seat interior lounge would look out onto one-third of an acre of landscaped picnic areas. A 1,250-square-foot outdoor terrace would hold more seats and feature games such as a horseshoe pitch and beanbag toss, said Mark Lindholm.
A rezoning application has been submitted to the municipality of Central Saanich. Another application has gone to the Agricultural Land Commission seeking new uses at the 7081 Central Saanich Rd. property.
The plan would see the property’s existing mini-golf course improved and back in business by spring.
Valerie Lindholm bought the 10-acre property last summer. It went on the market in 2014 in a court-ordered sale after a mortgage default.
The property is already categorized as agricultural, but its zoning is specific for golfing use. The aim is to win A1 designation, which is pure agriculture, Mark Lindholm said.
They are also seeking a special entitlement to allow a craft brewery and craft distillery, along with the 18-hole mini-golf course amid a landscaped garden of ponds and waterfalls. The mini-golf’s 500-square-foot office is in an adjacent house on the property, now occupied by tenants.
Designs show that the brewery and distillery would be built in an enlarged building, following the same design as the existing structure. No height would be added to the two-storey building. The size would increase by 6,400 square feet to 14,580 square feet.
Mark Lindholm is hoping for a partner with experience in brewing and distilling operations. “We are probably looking at early 2018” for the new business to open if approvals come through, he said.
Valerie’s plan is to turn the seven acres of green space into productive land and is following recommendations from an agrologist.
The acreage has been tilled by a local farmer to help level its five berms. Grasses grew up and red clover seeds were scattered to fill in empty patches. The clover helps to clean up the soil and add nutrients. Blackberry plants and bush have been removed from the property during a recent clean-up.
Valerie spent much of her summer collecting an “uncountable” number of golf balls from the property and neighbouring lands.
In early March, the land will be tilled again and seeded with barley, which could be used for the future brewery.
The large black nets drooping from tall poles around the property will remain until a new “non-golf use” is approved, the Lindholms said. The nets were installed by the previous owner in an attempt to block golf balls from landing on neighbouring land.
