VANCOUVER -- Negotiators will announce a deal to cede a popular golf course in Premier Gordon Campbell's riding to the Musqueam Indian Band in early September, a Musqueam critic of the deal says.
Gail Sparrow, a former chief for the urban band, said yesterday she is "pretty confident" of sources who have said an agreement will be announced on Sept. 7.
"The deal is going to happen," said Ms. Sparrow, who has sharply criticized the band leadership for not keeping the 1,200 Musqueam informed on what's on the table in talks over the fate of the University Golf Club.
But Ms. Sparrow said yesterday the course is not going to do much for members of the band, agreeing with non-native critics who suggest land on the west side of Vancouver would offer greater economic benefits.
"We need here, now, today a generating base of land that can create employment, and, as a result of employment, people can also build homes. That's what they need immediately," she said.
Non-native critics fear the Musqueam will develop the beloved course, where players have been on the links since 1929, for revenue. However, in one of few comments on the fate of the course, the band's chief said it would stay as it is until 2033.
Ms. Sparrow said that means there won't be much of an economic benefit from the property, suggesting there would be greater benefits for the impoverished community if other land was on the table.
"What's really important here is the people think, when they get the golf course, they're going to get immediate, big, higher-generating revenue right away," she said.
"That's what's going to be sold to them. If you go dangle a carrot in front of people who live below the poverty line, and most of our people do in Musqueam, they're going to grab it. And they're going to go with it, and think it's the answer to everything."
The Liberal government is involved in talks with the Musqueam, prompted by a B.C. Appeal Court ruling that disputed a 2003 decision by the province to sell the 120-acre club to the University of British Columbia for $11-million. The expected agreement has also angered non-native residents of Vancouver-Point Grey, the riding held by Mr. Campbell.
Bob Hindmarch, a former UBC athletic director who has helped to organize a petition opposed to the loss of the course, said he did not disagree with Ms. Sparrow's forecast.
"The thing that is incredible about it is why it is so secret," he said, suggesting many of the Musqueam and also constituents in the Premier's riding have been rebuffed over basic questions about what is really going on. "We're chopped liver. That's bothering most people," he said.
There was no one available for comment at the Musqueam band office.