Augur investments, owned by prominent property developer, Kenneth Raydon Sharpe, Friday launched the refurbishment of a one-stop village at the Warren Hills Golf Course in partnership with the City of Harare.
The golf course is one of Harare’s oldest up-market recreational facilities and is owned by Sunshine Developments, a joint venture company between the City of Harare and Augur Investments.
Sharpe told journalists at a press briefing that they are now in the final weeks of planning before they start the development. NewZimbabwe.com reports Sharpe as saying:
We are not building on the golf course or on sensitive areas, we are building that area and we will prevent any environmental damage.
There have been rumours that we were removing the golf course, and these are not true, because we are actually upgrading the golf course.
We are spending a budget of about four to five million United States dollars to bring it to an international championship course status.
The golfers that are currently playing there, we would love them to continue playing there and be members of this estate. The membership will also include outside golfers.
We are very proud to bring this in Zimbabwe, especially in Warren Hills, a place that we believe needs upliftment and significant investment.
The estate will encompass a five-star hotel and conference centre, retail shops, office park, club house facilities for the enhanced golf course and an exclusive residential estate of modern contemporary style villas, flats (luxury apartments), townhouses and an attached retirement section with health and medical facilities.
There was a public outroar when it was announced earlier this month that the City of Harare is seeking to convert two community golf courses into residential and commercial stands.
The two recreational facilities are Sherwood Golf Course in Mabelreign, which was established in 1961, and Warren Hills Golf Course.
Sharpe assured residents that the project will not destroy the golf course and current members will not be shut out.
He also asked the public and politicians to support the project and give him a chance to help develop a world-class city.