First, the good news.
Shawn Woods, the president of T.E. Woods Homes, says the opening of the Links at Stone Canyon will not be affected by a recent order from the Missouri attorney general's office that stopped some work on The Club at Stone Canyon because the property contains illegal higher-than-normal levels of methane gas, which is potentially explosive.
Now, the not-so-good news.
"Unfortunately, we are not going to be opening as soon as we would like," Woods said. "We aren't sure what we're going to do right now. We may try to open nine holes, we may wait until all 18 are developed. There is the option to open nine holes, or wait to open the entire 18 at one time. There are three holes that need a little work, and the last thing we want to do is open the course too early. We don't want any hole played on until it's in pristine condition.
"It's all disappointing because we have some really spectacular holes on this course. Several golf professionals have seen the course holes and said this it is a tournament-quality course. We're just all going to have to be patient and see when it opens."
The ruling affects both The Links at Stone Canyon, Inc. and Sailor-Woods Development, where developers are building the golf course, lake and residential development near what was once the Woods Chapel Sanitary Landfill. The property is north of I-70, south of Pink Hill Road and West of R.D. Mize in Independence.
"What was to stop was the building, selling or marketing on the site until more information can be gathered about the possible migration of methane gas," Scott Holste, a spokesman for the attorney general's office, told The Examiner.
Holste said the Department of Natural Resources, which initially issued notices of violation to the developer, the attorney general's office and developers are continuing to negotiate a resolution.
He declined to give details of the negotiations or a time frame for the issue to be resolved.
An initial report listed the a violate "for prematurely undertaking activities to develop the property, such as the construction of a lake, despite the department's repeated attempts to inform the company that this is not allowed," according to a DNR press release.
Renee Bungart, a spokesperson for the DNR, told The Examiner that methane levels were "in excess of state regulations" and construction on the lake and residences has been halted.
That has not stopped development of the golf course.
The major reason for the delay on the course has been related to Mother Nature.
"We're aware of the situation with the methane gas," Woods said, "and have ways to address it, but DNR does not want the solution right now, they want more investigation done. But that is not the reason for the delay on the course. It's all been weather related. We had a cold, wet winter and that doesn't help when you're on a time frame with the development of the course.
Woods addressed the methane problem by saying, "Methane poses no threat or health concern for the golfers. The reason for concern is if the methane would build up in a confined space, it could cause an explosion. However, we have a plan and process in place to eliminate this threat.
"We have methane indicators on site and we are making sure that the problem is resolved so individuals can come out and enjoy a wonderful golfing experience."
There are no other health concerns on site.
The man in charge of designing the golf course is PGA Hall of Famer Greg Norman.
This venture poses a great challenge for the man who won 20 U.S. PGA titles as he will be working with 362 acres that were once a landfill and rock quarry. Surrounding the private golf course was planned to be The Community at Stone Canyon, which will feature 240 homes in the $300,000 to $500,000-Million plus range.
"We have a unique opportunity to reclaim and develop a retired rock quarry and a sanitary landfill with a championship golf course," Norman told The Examiner on a recent visit to the site before any of the methane gas problems had surfaced.
"An infill project like this is a chance for us to make a positive environmental impact on the community through substantial design and alternative land use."
The course would feature the rugged design of the rock quarry and use the vast expanse of former landfill to offer a unique vision of Independence and the surrounding area.
"When I got here, I was just blown away with all the elements we have to work with," Norman said.
Woods said he expected the methane problem to be resolved and for the entire project to be finished safely and properly.
"We still believe this will be the luxury community everyone has talked about for months, with an exceptional lifestyle and course," he said. "The rumors have run rampant and most aren't even remotely true. We look forward to the day when all of this is behind us, people are playing the course, and living in the home of their dreams in Stone Canyon."
