Coffey Construction Ltd & EGS Golf Ltd have won a £5.5 million contract to build a new golf course in the Highlands in a joint venture (JV).

Work to build the Torvean Golf Course will begin next month, with completion scheduled for 2019.

The construction of the associated access road and Clubhouse and maintenance facility will get underway in 2017, timed for completion to coincide with the golf course opening for play.

The project has been designed by golf course architect Stuart Rennie and its cost includes land purchase and Golf Course design as well as construction of the Clubhouse and maintenance facility.

Due to the Inverness West Link project, an estimated £1.3m is required to relocate the golf holes to allow the road to be built.

Planning consent for the Torvean Golf course project was approved in April last year, with the Canal Parks Enhancement in August. Overall, the expanded golf project is estimated to cost an additional £8.2m with additional funding anticipated from Sports Scotland for the clubhouse junior room.

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Proposals for the scheme include:

• Locating the new 18 hole golf course in one contained area of land.

• A Practice area that allows for the Club to expand it to Scottish Golf Union Development Standard status.

• A new Clubhouse, which will accommodate a Junior Room.

• New maintenance buildings.

• An access road to service the Clubhouse and maintenance building.

The Torvean and Ness-side Development Brief states the relocation will release residual existing golf course land to the East of General Booth Road, while land to the South of the A82 will be freed up for informal public open space and a mixed use development adjacent to the canal at this route to Inverness. Discussions are ongoing with Scottish Canals to consider opportunities and bring these forward.

Hamish Spence, President of Torvean Golf Club, said: "Torvean Golf Club have been working closely with the Council on this project. We are delighted that the project has reached this stage.  As well as the obvious benefits to our members, the new clubhouse and course will be a major improvement to the existing sporting facilities available to the local community."

Cllr Audrey Sinclair added: "We are making excellent progress with the building of the Inverness West Link and the associated sports and leisure projects. The road infrastructure is well underway and now we will see the work on the redevelopment of the Golf Course begin shortly. This new course will provide an additional facility for both residents and visitors. The plans are ambitious and will deliver substantial long term assets to the city of Inverness and the surrounding region."

(LM/CD)