After more than 50 years in operation, Vanco Golf Range will close its doors for good this October. The city of Vancouver, which owns the land, has chosen not to renew the range’s lease. The property will instead become part of the Heights District Development, a transformative project that includes the redevelopment of the former Tower Mall site.
City of Vancouver’s Heights District Development to Replace Iconic Golf Spot
The Heights District Development: A New Chapter
Spanning 205 acres in central Vancouver, the Heights District project will bring hundreds of residential units—many designated for low-income families—as well as commercial spaces. The redevelopment aims to address critical community needs, particularly housing.
Patrick Quinton, Vancouver’s Economic Development Director, acknowledged the difficulty of the decision. “Golf is a land-intensive use,” he said. “If we can use that land to create significant new housing, especially affordable housing, and provide open spaces that serve a broader range of the community, it’s a worthwhile trade-off. But there’s no denying that something is lost in the process.”
A Changing Landscape for Local Golf
Vanco joins a growing list of local golf facilities shutting down. Lakeview Par 3 Golf Challenge, The Cedars on Salmon Creek, and Hartwood in Brush Prairie all closed in 2021. Green Mountain in Camas shut its doors in 2014.
Vanco was originally slated to close in 2020, but a petition with over 750 signatures extended its lease until 2024. This time, however, no extension will be granted.
Looking Ahead
The Heights District Development is set to begin infrastructure work soon, with construction starting as early as 2026. The project aims to address pressing needs, particularly housing shortages. In 2022, more than 9,000 people in Clark County experienced homelessness, driven largely by rising rents and a lack of affordable housing.
While the redevelopment represents progress for the community, it marks the end of an era for Vanco Golf Range—a cherished space that has left a lasting impact on those who frequented it.
