After stalling over consideration of water- and irrigation-related issues with The Valley Club's proposed expansion late in April, the Blaine County Commission on May 3 approved the mid-valley project.
Called West Nine, the project includes a nine-hole golf course expansion and new real estate development.
"By expanding to a 27-hole facility with the (Tom Fazio-designed) addition, The Valley Club becomes an even better club for the Wood River Valley and its members," said Doug Rhymes, The Valley Club board vice president and West Nine committee chairman. "We anticipate further improvements based on the input of our members."
There were two distinct hoops for developers to jump through: a conditional use permit for the golf course and a subdivision application for a 43-home development and a separate 12-unit community-housing complex. The West Nine will be on 117 acres south and west of the existing golf course and home sites.
The Blaine County Planning and Zoning Commission approved the development March 3.
The project will also include rerouting the existing bike path, constructing a rest station and improving recreation facilities at The Valley Club.
At the time of the original Valley Club's approval, public tee times were required as a condition of approval, and they will be among the public benefits that will continue to be offered.
"We're very pleased by the commissioners' ruling," said Henry Dean, principal of Sun Valley Development, the developer of the 43-unit Village Green home project. "We commend their responsiveness and their input. The Sun Valley Development team also had done a great job in responding to the commissioners' concerns. Now we're looking forward to breaking ground."
The West Nine addition was announced in 2003 when Fazio was engaged as the designer. According to a Sun Valley Development marketing press release, the West Nine will be the first Fazio-designed golf course in the Wood River Valley.
"Fazio has more credits on Golf Digest's list of 'America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses' and Golfweek's collection of 'America's Best' than any other designer working today," the press release states. "Fazio's peers have voted him the World's Best Golf Architect on every occasion since the poll's inception."
The Valley Club's West Nine expansion is planned for a site southwest of the existing golf-course community, near the intersection of Buttercup Road and state Highway 75, north of Hailey. Photo by David N. Seelig
