What’s the latest on the development at the driving range in Mississauga?

More than two years after the Ford government announced that long-term care homes would be built at the site of a driving range in Mississauga, the range is still operating and there is no word on any development taking place.

On March 8, 2022, the province said it was “taking the first step towards building two new and much-needed long-term care homes” at the site of the Andy Bathgate Golf Centre at 600 Eglinton Avenue East, which is at Highway 403.

A news release referred to it as the “former site” of the golf centre, but 30 months later, Bathgate appears to be operating as it normally has.

INsauga.com went to the facility Thursday, where golfers were still hitting balls as usual.

The Bathgate Golf Centre as seen on Thursday.

The province’s announcement in 2022 said the long-term care homes would “provide a modern, safe and comfortable place to live for 512 or more residents.”

It said the project would be possible by a provincial initiative to sell surplus government land with the condition that a portion of it be used for long-term care.

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“Our government is fixing Ontario’s long-term care system, and building new homes like the two that will be built on this site is a key part of our plan,” then-Long Term Care Minister Paul Calandra said.

“By selling unused provincial lands, more seniors can stay in their community, close to family and friends, while getting the quality of care they need and deserve.”

The government said at the time that its surplus lands program is part of the province’s commitment to build more than 30,000 net new beds by 2028 and 28,000 upgraded long-term care beds in Ontario.

“The program uses the sale of unused government properties to secure much-needed land for building long-term care homes in large urban areas of the province where available land is scarce and costly,” the release noted.

“The program also opens the door for additional uses such as affordable housing and recreational facilities.”

If not for a large sign — largely blocked from view by shrubbery — that reads “future site Mississauga long-term care home,” you wouldn’t know that was the intention for the location just by visiting.

Repeated requests for an update on the project sent to Ontario’s Ministry of Long-Term Care have gone unanswered, as has a request sent to Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Infrastructure.

A worker at Bathgate Golf Centre told INsauga.com the project isn’t going ahead anymore, though that is not confirmed.

An attempt to reach the owner of the driving range was unsuccessful.

Infrastructure Ontario’s website, however, indicates that the site is still listed on the open market. It was listed on March 11, 2022.

“The property will remain in this category until negotiations are complete, financial close is achieved, and ownership is formally transferred,” it says.

The total area to be sold is 28.4 acres, the website says. A price isn’t listed; instead, possible buyers are told to contact the broker.

For now, at least, it appears golfers can continue heading to the range to practice their swing.