New golf course clubhouse takes shape as part of Inverness West Link
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Eight of the holes at Torvean Golf Club are being relocated and a new clubhouse is being built so that the current site can be used for the next phase of the West Link project.
Councillors and Highland Council staff were taken on a tour of the development last week and hailed the impact of the new, improved facilities.
Inverness South councillor Duncan Macpherson was among those who attended the visit and believes the new facilities can have the same positive effect on the whole community as Highland Rugby Club’s Canal Park.
“More and more people are using the excellent facilities at the rugby club and we are hoping that the new facilities at Torvean will have the same effect,” he said.
“A new modern clubhouse being built will improve the facilities for everyone.
“It’s going to be a totally upgraded golf course with some wonderful features.
“The course is going to be hugely enhanced, and hopefully that will lead to an increase in members and participation as we have seen since the new facilities were built at the rugby club.”
Cllr Macpherson also believes there is potential for the area to be enhanced for non-golfers.
“There’s also a lot of potential for it to become a new city park,” he added.
“The natural serenity of the area is magnificent.
“Further down the line there is a lot of potential for other things to go in there as well.”
Once the revamped golf course is playable, work will begin on the next stage of the West Link.
The councillors’ visit was held in advance of a public consultation on the next stage of the plans, and Cllr Macpherson says the success of the first stage shows that the project has made a difference.
“We have already seen the positive impact the first phase of the new West Link has had on the city,” he said.
“That’s something which has taken pressure off roads in the city centre.
“Now with the next phase, we will have two swing bridges over the canal.
“That will ease a lot of frustration for drivers because one of them will always be open.”
The public consultation into the second stage of the West Link will be held at Canal Park on September 5.
Cllr Macpherson urged local residents to attend the event and “take their chance to make their voice heard.”
Meanwhile, Highland Council has submitted a planning application to build 34 houses and flats close to the golf course on land south of Golf View Terrace.
Permission was granted in principle in December 2016.
