MacDonald Highlands opens new amenities

Close to the Las Vegas Strip, the community of MacDonald Highlands is located on 1,200 acres of a hillside range within the McCullough Mountains. Behind MacDonald Highlands' guarded gates and landscaped entrance is the private golf course known as DragonRidge Country Club. Master planned by longtime developer Rich MacDonald, new additions to the community were recently added for the benefit of its members.

"We have a lot to offer members at DragonRidge Country Club," MacDonald said. "And we keep trying to raise the bar in everything that we do. Our residents and club members have been major factors in every decision that we make to enhance the country club living experience within MacDonald Highlands."

Grand openings were recently held for two new additions to the community. The new Tennis and Athletic Center, a 14,000-square-foot facility, offers child care, an Internet café and a staff of personal trainers and fitness instructors available to guide members through cardio and weight machines and to teach classes in Pilates, aerobics, cycling and kick boxing. The center has locker rooms for members with sauna, steam, Jacuzzi and massage.

Five new tennis courts, one with stadium seating, features a variety of programs for DragonRidge members and guests. Adult drop-in clinics are offered at levels ranging from beginner to advanced. For the player who desires organized play, the opportunity to join one of DragonRidge's United States Tennis Association league teams is now open. Also available is a junior program offering clinics ranging from the Pee Wee group to the High Performance player looking to improve at a competitive level.

The second new addition is the Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf, the only one located in Nevada. The Nicklaus Academy is the leading provider of golf instruction. The instruction is centered around improving a student's result on the golf course. The academy features a number of new technologies that provide detailed information. The Motion Golf 3-D Motion Imaging System provides the instructor with images of the student and his or her club from set-up to finish. The student's image can then be compared to a library of touring professionals based on the student's physical make-up and swing style.

Upon completion, MacDonald Highlands will feature luxury residences in 17 neighborhoods spread over 1,200 acres.

Three neighborhood parks encompass 10 acres and feature tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, play areas and picnic facilities. MacDonald Highlands is also planning five miles of fitness trails and provides access to nature trails in the McCullough Mountains.

According to MacDonald, new custom-lot neighborhoods within the community have been selling faster than expected. The lots offer views of the Las Vegas Strip with prices starting at $600,000.

Stone Mountain Ridge, a neighborhood of large acreage lots, developed specifically for family compounds, is priced as high as $6 million and is 50 percent sold out, according to MacDonald.

The community's information center is located at 1730 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway. To get there take Interstate 215, the Las Vegas Beltway, to Valle Verde Drive and travel south to the corner of Valle Verde and Horizon Ridge. The office is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

For more information, or to schedule a private tour of MacDonald Highlands, call 614-9100.