GELANG PATAH: Country Garden Pacificview Sdn Bhd (CGPV), the master developer of Forest City, is planning to build three 18-hole golf courses and a five-star hotel as part of Stage 2 of the development of Forest City.
CGPV chief strategic officer Dr Yu Runze said the construction of the golf courses and hotel, as well as the necessary infrastructures, would cost about RM1.2 billion.
"The golf courses and hotel would be built on an area measuring 800 hectares. The construction would involve extending the highway that connects the mainland to the island by 1.2 kilometres," said Yu.
He said the first golf course would be designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus and his son Jack Nicklaus II and is expected to be completed by the first quarter of next year.
"The course will be located near a mangrove forest and we will conduct an environment impact assessment (EIA) study before construction works begin. We will follow all the necessary rules and regulations," said Yu.
He was speaking at a press conference, which was also present were Jack Nicklaus II and Johor Golf Tourism Association president Mohammed Jamal Salleh.
Nicklaus said construction works need to start by October if they want to meet the target of opening the course by the first quarter of next year.
"There is a lot to do because we need to raise the site a few metres before we can start shaping the course. However, I am confident we will be able to complete the course is time," said Nicklaus.
Yu said Stage 2 of the Forest City development would also include the opening of a health centre by Taiwanese healthcare management company MJ Group and the opening of Shattuck-St Mary's International School.
"The health centre is expected to be opened in July while the international school will began operation in August next year," said Yu.
In another development, Yu said the company is studying the feasibility of building a jetty that would enabled private recreational groups from Singapore to come directly to Forest City.
"We are currently in talks with Raffles Marina in Singapore regarding this. We are also in discussion with the Immigration Department and Customs Department regarding the possibility of conducting immigration and custom clearance at the jetty," said Yu.
He said CGPV hopes to have the jetty, which will be located next to the Phoenix Hotel, completed by next year.