The Defence Housing Authority (DHA) has planned to transform its existing "Golf Club" into a resort club with world class recreational-cum-entertainment facilities at an estimated cost of Rs 1.6 billion with a foreign direct investment by a Malaysian company (SYSMAX Private Limited).
In this connection, the golf course would also be upgraded and re-designed to meet "Par-72" international standards.
DHA Administrator Brigadier Maqsood Hussain stated this, while talking to newsmen at a press briefing held at the Defence Housing Authority Golf Club (DHAGC) on Wednesday.
Brigadier Maqsood termed it a momentous project that would provide exquisite recreational and sports facility in the metropolitan, besides providing most modern facilities to its club members.
The concept behind developing and upgrading of the DHAGC was aimed at developing a resort within the city having exhilarating family entertainment, recreational and sports facilities, he said, adding that modernisation of golf course included its redesigning to meet Par-72 international standards, construction of a new driving range, completion of a new signature hole, replacement of the grass, construction of water bodies for irrigation, reshaping the fairways and landscaping of the course by introducing a variety of flora to add colour and beauty to the environment.
He said miscellaneous facilities to be provided included provision of automatic sprinkler system for irrigation, night golfing facility and provision of professionally trained uniformed caddies to support the golfers.
The night lighting would increase four more hours of play after sunset which would be of immense significance to the business community, he said.
He also said that the design philosophy apart from meeting the international standards would ensure smooth flow of play and golfers would enjoy their game without any hassle.
He said development of the new resort envisaged provision of top class services and healthy entertainment, including addition of swimming pools, festival plaza, convention hall, Cineplex, gymnasium, squash court and open air arcade.
The exciting facility would also have 20 specially designed richly equipped chalets and marriage halls with lighting and audio visual equipment and lawn redesigned to provide children a play ground and bar-b-cue area to organise open air events.
He was optimistic that the wonderful and unique facility of its kind being developed will be completed within a stipulated period of 20 months.
Earlier, Anwar Adam, an experienced entrepreneur, said that the club would set up the 'benchmark' of a resort club in Pakistan.
As per the agreement with the DHA, SYSMAX will manage the resort for a initial period of five years and the membership would be transferable, he said, adding that the new club would be tentatively launched on December 18, while new membership sales would commence from January 2, 2005.