So what exactly is happening at Secret Valley?
In a word, Nothing, at least for the moment.
In fact, the last piece of news released by the resort's owners stems back to the 12th of June 2010, when an announcement was made that Nikki Beach Hotels would operate the Venus Rock* Resort's forthcoming five star hotel and Lifestyle Villa complex, expected to open at the middle of 2012.
In amongst a three page press release waxing lyrical about turquoise waters, the Goddess Aphrodite, ancient Kourion, the Akamas Peninsula, and the island's many other scenic virtues, the only reference to Secret Valley's forthcoming golf courses is a single sentence asserting that the finished resort would "comprise two golf courses designed by Tony Jacklin". |
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And meanwhile, Secret Valley, Venus Rock, or whatever it's now called, is not as yet** in possession of the final planning permit necessary for the construction of an extra golf course.
This detail in itself presents a major stumbling block for the resort, as the original master plan called for the finished construction of a second 18-hole golf course prior to the remodelling of the existing links. Staggered course construction was decided on to prevent the kind of interruption of play for the club's members seen during during Tsada's remodelling. |
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The simple fact is that, in its current condition, the Secret Valley Golf Course is no longer able to compete effectively against the island's existing or forthcoming venues, and that without the complete refurbishment of its existing course (at the very least), the resort's future looks uncertain. Therefore the stalemate at Secret Valley must break one way or the other during the course of 2011.
Does anybody actually know what the future has in store for Secret Valley?
All in all, it has to be said that although overt signs may point towards an utter and complete lack of long-term action at the Secret Valley golf resort, the prevailing opinion of golf pundits in the Republic of Cyprus is that this is merely a slight delay in its schedule, rather than an overall stalling of the project. After all, the resort does pride itself on its allegedly limitless financial backing, so this hold-up is simply seen by many as an effort to wait for global economic conditions to improve, prior to engaging in the construction of such a massive and ambitious mixed-use leisure complex.
No matter which way one chooses to look at this situation, the succession of delays, missed deadlines, and changes in overall direction has eroded the confidence of golf property buyers in Cyprus during the past couple of years. At this point only decisive action by Secret Valley's owners, along with a comprehensive and transparent information campaign aimed at golfers and prospective buyers can begin to make up this lost ground.
Ultimately, only time will tell whether this will happen...
* Venus Rock is the designated name for the new Secret Valley Golf Resort.
** still not in possession of the necessary permits as of the 27th of October 2010...
We don't just want to sell you a property.
We make sure you're safe, satisfied and informed.
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