Likely few here have heard of it, let alone played it, but Horseshoe Valley (Highlands) is shutting its doors at the end of this season...
October 28, 2016
Dear 2016 Highlands Golf Member;
With the 2016 golf season now finished we thought it important to communicate to you the future of golf at Horseshoe Resort.
The past five years have seen a material decline in golf play and revenues at both the Highlands and Valley courses to the point that operating two golf courses at Horseshoe is no longer profitable.
The primary reasons for this decline relate to an over supply of golf in the Barrie/Orillia area and the broader Ontario/Canadian market that are beyond the direct ability of Horseshoe to positively change.
As a result Horseshoe Resort and its parent Skyline Investments have made the strategic decision to permanently close the Highlands course at Horseshoe and to only operate the Valley course moving forward.
When Skyline Investments purchased Horseshoe Resort in 2009, the previous resort owner had obtained “residential zoning” for the majority of the lands containing the front nine holes of the Highlands course and Skyline intends to sell those lands to interests who could potentially use this zoning to further develop the property.
The remaining 9 holes and Clubhouse facility will also be put up for sale immediately.
Starting in October 2016, thru May of 2017, the Horseshoe golf team will complete a comprehensive improvement of the Valley course, including a new course layout, tees, greens, fairways, ponds, and cart paths designed to reposition the Valley course as one of the top public golf facilities in the Barrie-Orillia area.
To help ease the transition to the Valley for all 2016 Highlands members, Horseshoe will offer a special membership rate and complimentary power cart package for all members who commit to the Valley course for 2017 by December 31, 2016.
Despite the issues outlined above concerning the Highlands golf course, Skyline remains committed to Horseshoe. This is evidenced by the completion of the 67 unit Copeland House project, the installation of a new $5 million year round ski/mountain lift, and the re-vamping of our Adventure Park and Horseshoe Centre complex. Additionally, we are moving forward this fall to fully renovate and refurbish the 40 unit Slope Side building, which will result in the only true ski in - ski out condominiums in Ontario, when completed at the end of 2017.
Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions regarding the above communication and thank you for your continued interest in Horseshoe Resort.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Reid,
General Manager