The Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario, a site of significant cultural, historic and natural heritage is threatened with destruction by a proposed high density development of luxury residential, commercial and retail spaces on its precious limited green space.

Situated on the heritage-designated former Raydor Estate, the present course was designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus in his first foray in championship course design. Prior history included indigenous hunting grounds, sawmill, Jesuit monastery and country club. As of 2007, majority ownership of the club property changed to predatory billionaire property developer Rai Sahi of Morguard Corp., who as of September 2015 called for the site's destruction.

It is Canada's most famous golf course for now 42 years, and has also been home to Golf Canada and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. As of this July, it will have hosted 30 Canadian Open Championships, more than any other course, with the first having been in 1977. Many historic sports achievements have occurred on this course, including a shot by PGA star Tiger Woods regarded as the most spectacular both of Woods' career and in recent PGA Tour history (https://youtu.be/G2AvRfxgpL4?t=305).

The golf course in this half century has not only defined the Town of Oakville's identity, but also provides significant economic benefits for the hundreds employed in the service and hospitality sector especially when hosting one of the largest single international sports events in all of Canada.

The proposed development calls for the significant destruction of the manicured and natural landscape, woodland canopy, wildlife habitat and rich absorbent soils in Halton Region's largest watershed to be replaced by multiple enormous multi-level structures in a mature site expressly and historically zoned for perpetual recreational purposes. The proposal ignores the Town's significant official plan, which concentrates meaningful growth in other specified areas with transportation infrastructure and economic activity. In so doing, the developer's proposal encourages a perverse density that will overwhelm the existing Town corridors and facilities, adversely affecting neighbouring residents and businesses.

This development will disembowel the proverbial heart of Oakville, scarring its historic, cultural and natural legacy.

This petition calls upon the Mayor Rob Burton and Town Councilors, as well as Members of Provincial Parliament for Oakville Kevin Flynn & Indira Naidoo-Harris, and Provincial Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Daiene Vernile, Provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs Bill Mauro, Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne, Federal Minister of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly and Halton Region Chair Gary Carr to oppose the destruction of Glen Abbey by recognizing the intangible value of cultural and natural heritage of preserving Glen Abbey and thereby the legacy of nature, sport and history for future generations.

As of December 20, 2017, Glen Abbey has been designated as a cultural heritage landscape. But ClubLink is still attempting to circumvent this designation with a preemptive application for demolition and other appeals. We need protective action now!

Save Glen Abbey, the heart of Oakville and national treasure.