Turkey Creek residents to buy golf course

ALACHUA – Residents of Turkey Creek voted to purchase the community’s long-dormant golf course on October 14 for the appraised price of $1.35 million.

The property and amenities included in the purchase total 152 acres and will include the golf course land, clubhouse, pool, tennis courts and racquetball courts.

The course has not been operational since 2011, and current ownership has not maintained the lawns or facilities.

According to the Turkey Creek Master Owners Association (TCMOA), the purchase is intended to ensure continuing maintenance and basic care of the property.

The purchase plan required a minimum approval of 75 percent of homeowners.

“The turnout of residents voting was truly amazing,” said TCMOA President Tim Stanton.

“We had 82 percent of the community voting, and we received a ‘yes’ vote from over 75 percent of the available votes.”

Along with maintenance of the property, the purchase will allow owners to receive free use of the pool and tennis courts and use of the clubhouse as a community center.

The racquetball courts will be demolished.

According to the TCMOA Web Site, the association does not intend to operate the golf course or onsite restaurant, but it is open to the possibility of leasing each to potential tenants.

The plan to pay for the purchase is to acquire a loan not exceeding $2 million to finance both the acquisition and an estimated $650,000 in renovations.

The repayment of the loan is based on a proposed annual assessment of 1.2 mills on all property owners.

Stanton stated that much activity remained to be done now that the vote has finished.

“It will not happen overnight, but it is a very exciting time for Turkey Creek as we move forward with the purchase plan,” he said.

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