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Ledgeview considers impact of proposed pipeline construction

Trans Mountain Pipeline predates golf course and runs through 10 holes.
The Trans Mountain Pipeline runs directly through Ledgeview Golf Course
Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain Pipeline runs directly through Ledgeview Golf Club.

Ledgeview Golf Course president John Hambley expects to meet with Kinder Morgan Canada officials in the coming weeks to discuss the impacts of the proposed expansion of the company’s Trans Mountain Pipeline on the course.

The pipeline, which predates the city-owned course, runs directly through Ledgeview and crosses parts of 10 different holes.

Should Kinder Morgan’s proposal to twin the pipeline be approved, Hambley said the resulting construction will inevitably affect the course’s operation and its approximately 320 members.

“We know there’s going to be a disruption,” he said. “We’ve got an ongoing business that utilizes the land for our course activity.”

Hambley said the golf course has kept in contact with both the city and Kinder Morgan Canada regarding the pipeline expansion.

Last year, Hambley and Ledgeview director Phillip Dodd applied to the National Energy Board to be intervenors in the ongoing approval process. In their application they write:

“The construction would also have significant financial impact on the society from loss of revenue from public players.”

While details have yet to be hammered out, Hambley said the company has shown a willingness to make the construction as unobtrusive as possible.

If approved, Hambley said it’s been suggested that construction would last six to eight weeks, but would take place during the winter to minimize the effect on the course. Ledgeview remains open during the winter, but conditions are obviously less enticing for golfers and closures occur due to frost and, less frequently, snow.

Should the pipeline be approved, construction locally isn’t expected to start for more than a year.

“It’s a big deal, yet it’s still proposed,” Hambley said. “We’re taking it very seriously, yet there’s only so much one can do.”

Construction on the course would also likely require rebuilding or replanting of foliage, although Hambley said the course would receive compensation.