Patrick Rocchio works on his swing at Beach Fairway Golf Range
After 14 years of serving the golfers of East Toronto, the Beach Fairway Golf Range will close on October 8th — Thanksgiving Monday.
Owner Kim Holman says she and her husband Brian Jacobsen are determined to “make something positive out of this” and will donate part of the proceeds on that day to Variety Village.
“We are shutting down and are not able to leave anything behind and while I know we have made a difference in many people’s lives over the past 14 years, there will be nothing physical to show for it. So this is our attempt to make a LASTING difference and leave something for the community at Variety Village,” says Holman.
Holman “sad” for customers
Holman says they chose Variety Village because it promotes physical fitness and integration and has made a positive difference in the lives of many families.
Beach Fairway Golf Range
Variety Village has also been a wonderful customer, Holman says, and are a great example of the many types of organizations that have benefited from the range.
Approximately 60,000 people visit the driving range every year, including 5,700 children, and Holman says she feels extremely sad for them.
Housing and retail development to come
The range is being closed to make way for a housing and retail development to be constructed by the landowner Build Toronto, the City of Toronto’s real estate development agency.
Build Toronto owns the second-largest parcel of land in the Quarry. The largest landowner, the Conservatory Group, is planning to build controversial apartment towers.
A lobbying campaign that included a 7,000 name petition failed to sway Build Toronto and local politicians to change course. Build Toronto will unveil its plans for the land at a community meeting on Wednesday.
“I know what we have brought to the community and question what our replacement will bring. I do not think this new retail and housing project will contribute anything positive to the lives of those in the neighbourhood nor do we believe that it will change the outcome of the Quarry towers. It is a sad day for all of us,” Holman says.
Holman says the City tried to find an alternate location for the driving range, but the efforts failed.
On Thanksgiving Monday, Beach Fairway will donate $2.00 from each bucket of balls and all proceeds from mini golf to Variety Village. There will be free coffee and donuts from 8am – 11am and free hot dogs between 11am and 6pm.
