When spring weather arrives, Kevin Gaughan says construction will begin on his plans for a new golf course at a 107-acre site in South Buffalo.
Gaughan has spent five years working on this plan, initially replacing the golf course dropped on Frederick Law Olmsted's South Park plan. The new course would be adjacent to the park and allow restoration of the landscape architect's plan and allow restoration of his botanical gardens plan. Now, the overall plan includes major changes to the Delaware Park golf course and a training school to teach young people about conservation, agronomy and botany.
"Our total project budget is, hold onto your hat, $42 million," Gaughan told WBFO.
"It's been my intention and our plan and we're executing that to raise that strictly from private funds. No taxpayer money."
The golf course and a modified Delaware Park course would be deisgned by Jack Nicklaus, champion golfer and champion golf course designer.
"He's confident that the entire project that I envision, the new signature Nicklaus course in South Buffalo, an improved and made more wonderful golf course in Delaware Park, the construction and establishment of again what is the heart of the matter for me, a vocational training center for inner-city youth which will use these new public amenities," Gaughan said.
Gaughan says there is $5 million in hand to begin construction.
