Work gets under way on Kingask golfing complex

Michael Alexander, The Courier, 7 September 1999

When St Andrews Bay Development Ltd announced last year that it wanted to create a £50 million hotel, conference and golf complex at Kingask on the outskirts of St Andrews, it promised that the project would create a world-class resort offering major benefits to the local and Fife-wide economy.

Now, after months of controversy, dispute, claim and counter-claim over impacts the development might have on the infrastructure and environment of the area, that dream has moved a step closer to reality.

Yesterday the first major earth workings began on the 520-acre clifftop estate, set to be transformed in the months ahead.

In recent weeks engineers have been on site preparing the layout of the complex and setting up temporary offices.

The arrival, however, of principal contractors HBG Management, with their diggers and dumper trucks is seen by project leaders as the first real step towards the realisation of the 208-bedroom hotel, two 18-hole golf courses, spa, clubhouse, restaurants and manor homes accommodation.

It is anticipated construction of golf courses will begin this month.

Expressing enthusiasm that the project was now under way, St Andrews Bay Development Ltd operations director lain MacKinnon explained yesterday that it is hoped to have the hotel and conference centre open for business by March 2001, with the first golf course open by July/August of the same year. The second course should be finished in 2002.

Speaking to The Courier on-site, Mr MacKinnon said, “Clearly the schedule of construction is important to us now because we’re getting towards the latter part of the year. It is vital, particularly as far as the golf course construction is concerned, that we have the opportunity to begin and get on quickly with construction while the weather is good.

“Our main task at the moment is to complete the main haul road for construction traffic, as designated in the planning conditions. Very quickly, we’ll then be getting on with excavations for the hotel foundations and substructure.”

He confirmed the main structure of the hotel would be complete by the Millennium Open at St Andrews next July but would not be open by then.

With excavated top soil to be used for the golf courses and the sub soil to be used for landscaping, he said no materials would be removed from the site so there would be no lorries rumbling through St Andrews.

Mr MacKinnon added, “We are keen to make the community aware of the progress on the site. It is important they know what is going on.”

The news that work had begun in earnest at Kingask was welcomed by St Andrews Bay Development Ltd owners Dr Don and Mrs Nancy Panoz. The American couple have visited St Andrews several times to see the site and intend to return soon.

Dr Panoz said, “We are very excited at the opportunity to construct such a prestigious development in the Home of Golf and of course are delighted that building work is now under way.”

Dr Panoz and his wife also expressed thanks to Fife Council, who, they said, “Had dealt with a complex and sensitive planning issue with great patience and efficiency.”

The St Andrews Bay development has been welcomed by business and tourism leaders as a chance to create a high-quality leisure, resort and conference destination.

Dr and Mrs Panoz' Chateau Elan resort near Atlanta, Georgia, is regarded as one of the most elegant destinations in the USA and attracts corporate leaders worldwide.

St Andrews Bay and the tourism industry believe that the Kingask development will help open a similar market in this country.

With up to 500 employed in the construction phases and around 275 jobs when complete, the developer estimates up to £14 million will be injected into Fife in the project’s first year.