Boca to buy Ocean Breeze club

City to borrow $20 million, create public golf course

Boca Raton has offered a $20 million loan to pay for a new public golf course that would be rebranded the Boca National Golf Club.

With financing in place, the 141.4-acre former Ocean Breeze Golf and Country Club at 5800 NW Second Ave. could be up and running in less than two years.

The city would issue a 15-year revenue bond after a public hearing on Feb. 13. Bonds would be issued by Feb. 21 to 28, the city said. The property would close on Feb 28 in the deal involving Wells Fargo and Lennar Homes.

“It will take six or seven months for the design and from 12 months to 18 months to fully complete the project,” said Arthur Koski, executive director of the Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District, which will buy the property.

The district, a state taxing authority, will also purchase in February a 72.5-acre parcel on the east that can be used for golf training, a hotel or a community center. The course was closed in July 2016.

District commissioners are interviewing 15 companies vying for the job of redesigning the entire site.

“We expect a designer will be chosen by the first of March,” said Koski, adding he is not sure if all 27 holes will remain.

The city, meanwhile, is selling its golf course in West Boca, which is still open, to GL Homes. No closing date has been set.

mshatzman@sun-sentinel .com