Construction Set To Begin At Black Rock Resort Development Would Be Largest Community Between Cda, Moscow

Contractors are arriving today to coordinate the huge task of building The Club at Black Rock.

Those construction managers - who all have bonuses written into their contracts for finishing on time - have the job of building the infrastructure to support what would be the largest community between Coeur d’Alene and Moscow, Idaho.

“We hope to have the golf course, water system, sewer and roads down by the end of September,” owner Marshall Chesrown said. “I don’t see one thing at this time that can stop us.

“It’s full steam ahead.”

The Kootenai County Commission made that possible Wednesday night when it approved changes to the planned unit development that will allow Chesrown to start selling 381 lots as soon as construction on the golf course begins.

The commission this spring approved Black Rock, located near Rockford Bay, under the guidelines that the golf course would be built before lots were put on the market.

Then Chesrown got an education on North Idaho building seasons.

With the time it takes to build the golf course, road, and sewer and water systems, it could have been three years before Chesrown would have been able to sell lots under the original plan.

“The market is there now. We don’t want to miss the boat,” said Chesrown, who has not started advertising the resort. “I think when people see the sales rate of this thing, they will be extremely surprised.”

Black Rock will feature a world-class golf course, an equestrian center, golf school and a 23,000-square-foot clubhouse expected to cost $7 million.

“The clubhouse will take longer to build than the golf course,” he said.

With good weather, the major dirt work for the course and the infrastructure could be done by the end of September.

With another year to allow the course’s bent grass to come in, the course should allow limited play by fall 2002, he said.

“It should be ready for full play by 2003,” he said. “The quality of the golf is what drives this whole thing.”

Chesrown also purchased the marina in Rockford Bay. New boat slips have been constructed and should be put in place by April 1.

About that time, Chesrown - who made millions selling cars in the Denver area - hopes to hold a major groundbreaking ceremony.

“It’s been a lot of fun doing something different,” Chesrown said.