UPDATE: The city has voted to not approve the proposed plan and would like to take over the project.
It will meet with the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Parks District to try and figure out its options.
A meeting date has not been set.
EARLIER STORY:
Plans for a new public golf course in Boca Raton have been in the works for months.
The former Ocean Breeze Golf Course, located at 5800 NW 2nd Avenue, is set to be transformed into a new public course called Boca National Golf Club.
Jess Frank at Palm Beach Golf Center in Boca Raton said he is excited for the new public golf course.
"As far as businesses go for us, it would be phenomenal for them to open golf course right down the street from us," said Frank.
Pro Golfer Nick Price and architect Tom Fazio designed the golf course with 18 holes, a new clubhouse, and an 11-hole, par three course. The holdup right now is the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Parks District does not have the money to pay for the roughly $25 million construction.
"It would be very difficult for us to do that. We have other projects going on," said Commissioner Bob Rollins.
Rollins said the district will sit down with Boca Raton City Council next Tuesday, May 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the 6500 Building to talk about the plans and how to pay for the project.
The city has already loaned the district $20 million to buy the land.
City Councilman Andy Thompson said he would like to see the city take over the project.
"If the city can takes it over, I feel that we would be a better position to develop it quicker and cheaper," said Thomson.
Rollins said he is not in favor of the city taking over the project, but he would like to discuss funding options with the city.
