‘Destination’ golf centre for Pickering’s Durham Live project re-submitted after MZO revoked

It’s not exactly back to the drawing board for Durham Live – Pickering’s massive casino and tourist destination project – but the repeal of a minister’s zoning order to fast-track the process has meant a re-submission by the proponents.

Consultant Kristy Kilbourne and Pickering Developments owner Steve Apostolopoulos told the city’s planning committee earlier this month the MZO was rescinded “due to a lack of progress” on developing the lands, resulting in the re-submission.

Durham Live wants a portion of the site re-zoned to allow for a “unique recreational facility,” with LaunchPad Golf signing a ‘Letter of Intent’ a year ago to bring its “innovative, exciting, and immersive” driving range concept to Pickering.

The staff report does not contain any details on the golf centre, which would be the first in Ontario and just the third in Canada, or of the 60-plus storey apartment tower (maybe more than one) also being proposed for the lands.

Councillor Maurice Brenner has some issues with the apartment tower plan – current zoning for the area, which is outside the city’s city centre intensification area, caps building height at 35 storeys – but doesn’t have a problem with the golf centre.

The golf centre “should be a good fit” for the lands, Brenner said, as it ties in with the Durham Live theme, which already includes a casino and hotel and has a Porsche ‘Experience’ nearing opening day and a second hotel and other amenities also on the way.

“I can understand the golf in terms of a destination point.”

He called the report before committee “nothing new” and said Durham Live still has not provided any details on the proposed residential towers or the scope of the golf centre. “It’s just an update.”

Representatives from the nearby Pickering Pentecostal Church appeared at committee to express their opposition to the development, claiming the church had been “excluded” from by-law changes on the development.