The proposed multimillion-dollar Kalgoorlie Golf Club development will not be finished by the end of the year and will cost more than initially anticipated.
The 120-room resort, set to be run by Hilton Worldwide subsidiary Doubletree, was announced in September as a $22 million development that could be up and running by the end of this year.
But Pacifica Developments director John Zendler yesterday told the Kalgoorlie Miner the resort was only likely to be finished in the latter part of next year and the cost was nearer $25 million.
Mr Zendler said transferring ownership of land from the State to the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder was mainly to blame for the delay.
“That took a little bit longer than everyone had anticipated but obviously from our point of view as a developer, our arrangement and our contract is with the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder rather than the State,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s anyone’s fault in particular. At the time I think we all underestimated just the complexity of what had to happen between the City and the State and us as a private enterprise.
“The clock started ticking a little bit later than we originally would have hoped but from our point of view now we are very committed to the project and really looking forward to doing it.”
City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder chief executive John Walker said as well as the land transfer issue, other reasons were factors in the delay.
“Obviously the architect is an outstanding architect and therefore very particular and also the approval program,” he said.
“They basically have to sign off on every light bulb, so all of that’s taken a little longer.”
Concept designs by architects Katsalidis Designs, which delivered the Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart, show the resort featuring terracotta walls emulating the claws of machine bucket teeth clawing into the earth against a backdrop of sleek glass walls offering panoramic views of the golf course.
The designs conceptualise a luxury resort inspired by a vision of the region’s mining identity and include a 120-room hotel, spa, restaurant and conference centre.
Mr Zendler said the cost of building had gone up a little as designs were tweaked.
“It has been a challenge. Finding something that suits the needs of the golfing community, suits the needs of hotel guests as well as providing public amenity, which is really important to us,” he said. “As these things evolve we get a better sense of the town and what it needs. There’s a lot of work and we are making sure we are doing it right rather than do it quick.”
Mr Zendler said he expected development approval to come through this month.
“We are taking it very seriously,” he said.
“We really like that site and it is going to be very significant for the town. If I was to give it a range, I would say July to September sort of space next year. “That would certainly be the goal for us.
“There are a few things like development approvals that are beyond our control and you always put a bit of wriggle room in a construction contract. But for us, we would be extremely disappointed if the hotel didn’t open in 2020.”
Mr Walker said he expected development approval to come through in about a week and the developers were poised to hit the ground running.
“I think we will see activity there relatively shortly and then it will be all systems go,” he said.
“July to September is a 12-month process so we are not far away, even though it appears that nothing’s happening.
“So much has happened and all of a sudden it will go “bang”.
