Grand Plans

Hidden Lakes Golf Resort near Sandpoint, Idaho is planning a $100 million real estate expansion over the next five years aimed at making the resort -- built among the oxbows of Idaho's Pack River in northern panhandle -- strong competition for the state's more famous resort area, Coeur d'Alene. On the drawing board for Hidden Lakes is a 200-slip marina on Lake Pend Oreille, an equestrian center, spa and convention center.

The Hidden Lakes course is generally recognized as one of the more scenic golf courses in the Northwest. The course was recently lengthened to a par 71 for men and par 72 for women. A new clubhouse, restaurant, lounge and golf shop with complete locker facilities occupies 17,000 square feet beside the Pack River.

The course, situated in the midst of the Selkirk Mountains on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, plays 6,923 yards long from its Moose tees. Oh yes, moose, elk and bear have the right to play through -- and sometimes do.

Construction of a 36-unit condo near the resort's clubhouse, called Cottonwood Lodge, is expected to begin this summer. The one- to three-bedroom units range in price from $299,000 to more than $600,000. Building lots on Moose Mountain are expected to cost up to $1 million each.

Many of the condo units are expected to be put into a rental pool for resort guests.

In addition, approximately 300 homes are planned for Moose Mountain, a forested ridge between the mouth of the Pack River and Lake Pend Oreille.