Paradise Canyon – A Short History
For decades, Vic Stasiuk had a plan to develop a golf course on the river bottom land that he owned. In 1982, he noted that it had been a dream of his for the past 25 years and that he was looking to “determine if an alternative exists to the plan rejected by city council.” (9 December 1982, Lethbridge Herald) He also noted that his plans for the golf course wouldn’t likely be feasible without a housing portion, which had just prior to this article being written been opposed by council in a 5-2 vote. (Ibid) At that time, the land Stasiuk owned was out of the city, but within the city’s proposed annexation area. Council’s concerns at that time were about “future river floods placing valley housing in jeopardy.” (Ibid)
The dream and the plan to turn that land into a golf course continued and Stasiuk had over the years others who shared his dream.
In March 1990, the Lethbridge Herald noted that the farm-turned golf course project was on schedule.
“Pat Shimbashi of Barnwell, the drive behind Paradise Valley Golf and Country Club Limited Partnership, said 260 building lots will be located within the 18-hole championship golf course, and 350 on the plateau above the Oldman River within view of the University of Lethbridge.” (29 March 1990, Lethbridge Herald)
At that time it was noted that the company had about 60 share-holders, with a plan to open the course in by 1 May 1991.
In June of that year, advertisements for a Land Use Bylaw to change the zoning of the area from Urban Reserve to Residential in preparation for the development.
The opening in 1991 was a bit delayed. While there were some activities at the golf course in 1991, the plan was changed to going public in 1992.
By June 1991, Shimbashi was able to share that two of 97 lots in the first of six planned phases in the upper bench development had been sold. At that time, 15 houses had been sold on the lower level in the midst of the golf course. As well, all roads, gutters, sidewalks, gas line, etc. had already been installed by that time for the 297 lots that were ready for development in the plan.
At the same time, it was noted that the clubhouse was the hub of most activity down at the site. “The club house for the Paradise Canyon Golf and Country Club exemplifies the southern California architectural theme for the $15-million project” noted Pat Shimbashi in the 29 June 1991 Lethbridge Herald. The 20,000 square foot club house was to be covered with stucco and covered by a red tile roof with curved arches in front and back to best showcase the architectural style.
In 1991, Lethbridge City Council also decided to put their faith into the Paradise Canyon project and “recommended that half of the $500,000 available to the city (from the province’s community tourism program) should go to the golf course/residential subdivision.” (2 May 1991, Lethbridge Herald) The money was to help enhance the convention facilities and the facts driving range at the site. Council also agreed to pay $190,000 toward the $300,000 cost of paving the roadway into Paradise Canyon. The Herald at the time noted that this was a calculated risk as “developers are usually responsible for the total cost of servicing new subdivisions, including roads.” (Ibid)
In 1995, Paradise Canyon was “almost lost as waves lap at fairways” during the 1995 flood. (9 June 1995, Lethbridge Herald) Eight holes were affected by the flood water. Seventy-five residents and golf course employees worked together during the flood to sandbag and protected what they could. Gary Weikum, speaking on behalf of the city, noted that they had “planned for all the residential structures to be above the 100 year flood plain and the water came close to one of them.” (9 June 1995, Lethbridge Herald)
In 1997, a different type of danger faced Paradise Canyon when Price Waterhouse had to step in and operate the golf course until a new buyer could be found. (3 April 1997, Lethbridge Herald)
By May 1998, Paradise Canyons had new owners with the 16 May 1998 Lethbridge Herald noting that Dal Zemp, Clay Leavitt, John Pennington and Glen Campbell, new owners, had purchased the golf course and real estate developments for $6 million from accountants Price Waterhouse and were looking to tap into the U.S. golf market.
In 2004, Ron Sakamoto purchased a stake in Paradise Canyons (15 April 2004, Lethbridge Herald).
History provided by Lethbridge Historical Society