Tag: Muskoka

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Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare to build two new hospitals in south Muskoka

Photo courtesy Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare, Facebook

Two new hospitals are coming to the south Muskoka region in an effort to enhance access to quality healthcare in Huntsville and Bracebridge. 

Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare will provide necessary upgrades to the existing Huntsville District Memorial Hospital and the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital in Bracebridge. Both current hospitals have been in operation for about fifty years and are in need of infrastructure improvements to meet modern community needs.

The planning process for the two new hospitals has been ongoing for years but is now in the developmental stages. The new hospital will be built upon the existing Memorial Hospital site in Huntsville. In Bracebridge, sites are being surveyed to build on new land, and planners have narrowed it down to three possible locations. Important factors in determining location are proximity to Highway 11, access to public transportation, availability of municipal services, and consideration of seasonal residents and cottage owners. 

The Ministry of Health for the province of Ontario is expected to cover up to 90 per cent of all construction and ancillary costs for the new hospitals. However, the communities themselves are expected to cover 100 per cent of all equipment and furnishing expenses. “This is a tremendous cost,” says Mayor Nancy Alcock of Huntsville. “But we can do it. And we already have two hospital foundations that have raised money from the community for the new sites.” The Huntsville branch of Scotiabank has even donated $100,000 to the hospital fund. You can find more information on becoming a donor here. 

Equipment costs for the new hospitals are estimated to reach $25 million. Mayor Alcock says that municipalities within south Muskoka will continue advocating to the province for more funding. “First and foremost, we are really thankful that the province recognized the need for two hospitals here,” says Mayor Alcock. “We worked hard to keep both hospitals in Huntsville and Bracebridge. Money can’t come before this.” 

MAHC President and CEO Cheryl Harrison also adds that “the existing hospitals will be transferring over as much of the equipment and furniture as they are able to in order to minimize the impact.” The new hospitals will bring needed jobs into these communities, with job growth expected in both construction and hospital staff. “There will be a large number of construction jobs for the 2-3 year construction period at each site,” says Harrison. “In addition, each hospital will be planned with more beds than we presently have, which means there will be expanded staffing.” 

This is good news for an ongoing shortage of doctors and nurses in Northern Ontario. There is a deficit of 350 doctors, nurses, specialists, pediatricians, and anesthesiologists in the region, up from 325 in 2022. A similar trend is taking place across Canada, highlighting the need for better access to healthcare and better recruitment strategies for healthcare professionals in rural and remote communities. 

MAHC hosted public information sessions for the two new hospitals at virtual and in-person meetings in January. More information sessions are scheduled for April 17-22 not only for Bracebridge and Huntsville residents, but also for people from Gravenhurst, Port Carling, and Burk’s Falls. “All communities in south Muskoka have a stake in this,” Mayor Alcock says. “People are excited. They’re nervous about the costs, but they are mostly excited and they want this to succeed.” 

“Nearly 500 people joined us at open houses in January, and generally, there is enthusiasm for new hospitals to become a reality in Muskoka,” says Harrison. “The new facilities will allow us to meet building codes and provide an environment that is better suited to staff to deliver care and to the patients who receive it. They will have a better design for efficient flow of services, including diagnostic and care delivery equipment.” 

Cottage owners in south Muskoka stand to benefit from this too. Since the start of the pandemic, cottage country populations have been booming, and there has been some lag between the growing demands of the community and infrastructure development. Investing in and building new facilities is fundamental to meeting the modern needs of residents and cottage owners and updating existing services. 

For cottagers concerned about what might happen if they ever experienced an emergency while alone at the cottage, the new hospitals come as welcomed news. Infrastructure improvements in the area could lead to better access to paramedics and other emergency response teams. This, in turn, will lead to faster and more effective healthcare for both local and seasonal residents alike.

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New owners plan to reopen Robinson’s General Store in Dorset, Ont. this week

Photo Courtesy of Robinsons General Store

After an abrupt closure on January 8, Robinson’s General Store in Dorset, Ont. is expected to reopen on Friday under new ownership.

In a Facebook post, former owner Joanne Robinson wrote: “After having been owned and operated by our family for 100 years (1921 to 2021), we were, like all of you, disappointed and devastated when we learned that our beloved Robinson’s General Store closed in January. Since then, we have been working hard in the background to find a solution to allow the business to reopen. We understand the inconvenience this closure has caused the community, and we thank you for your patience during this difficult time.

“Today, we are pleased to announce that a new family, led by brothers Ven Komina and Satya Jyesta, is taking over the operation of Robinson’s General Store.”

Over the last 100 years, four generations of Robinsons have worked at the store. It started as a 1,200 sq. ft. business serving the local logging industry and has grown into 14,000 sq. ft. of retail space, selling groceries, hardware supplies, branded apparel, cottage décor, and, of course, ice cream. In the summers, the store employs 65 workers, many of them students. But despite the store’s success, Joanne Robinson and her husband, Willie Hatton, decided it was time to retire. In April 2021, the Robinsons sold the store to Mike and Katie Hinbest from Orangeville, Ont.

After a year and a half of operating the store, the Hinbests ran into financial trouble and were forced to foreclose. Since the Robinson’s had bought the store’s mortgage from the bank, the property defaulted back to them, sending the family in search of new owners.

Brad Robinson, Joanne’s father, who operated the store from the mid-1950s until 1991, suspects that the Hinbests struggled because they purchased both the general store and the local marina. “That marina took so much of [Hinbest’s] time, and they spent so much money over there,” Robinson says. Financing the two businesses with inflation and rising interest rates made mortgage payments unaffordable.

When the store closed, locals were left stranded. “We didn’t realize that it would basically shut the town down. People had to go to Huntsville or Bracebridge to do their grocery and hardware shopping,” Robinson says. “Everybody in the area is happy to see that new owners will be taking over, and they’re going to run it similar to the way we ran it.”

When the store went back up for sale in January, Ven Komina and Satya Jyesta approached the Robinsons with an offer. The two brothers own and operate a number of convenience stores in the North Bay area and purchased the Baysville General Store last year. “It isn’t a complete change for them,” Robinson says, “but the stores they’ve run aren’t as big as the store we have, so it’s going to keep them busy.”

The two brothers take possession of the store on Friday and plan to open it the same day. “They’re just having a soft opening at first,” Robinson says. “There won’t be any major produce or stuff like that, but they’re going to have milk and bread, and there’s canned food that was left there on the shelves.”

Over the last two months, Robinson has been going to the store everyday, in part for insurance reasons, but also to maintain the property. The family purged any expired food and staged the store for potential buyers. “It’s ready to go,” he says. “All they’ll need is a good order of groceries, you know, meat and vegetables, and hardware supplies, and they’ll be in business.”

Robinson has one piece of advice for the new owners: be on-site as much as possible. “People are giving you thousands of dollars a year. You have to be there to show your appreciation,” he says. “That’s what small businesses are all about. That’s how small businesses survive.”

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Ontario real estate market forecast: cottage-country realtors predict more inventory this spring

Photo collage by Taylor Kristan

Ontario’s real estate market has been in a dizzying state since the start of the pandemic, especially in cottage country. Prices boomed over the last two years with some recreational properties jumping into the millions as buyers scrambled after cottages, looking for an escape from the city. But then travel reopened, events restarted, and the cottage market cooled.

The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) reported that in February, 29 waterfront properties were sold in the province’s Lakeland region, which constitutes cottage-heavy areas such as Muskoka, Haliburton, Parry Sound, and Georgian Bay. That’s a 62.8 per cent drop from the same period last year, and 51 per cent below the five-year average.

In part, the lack of sales is due to low inventory. There aren’t many waterfront properties on the market right now. This has kept cottage prices stable, sheltering them from the price correction happening in urban centres. But the market could change this spring as local realtors anticipate a flood of new listings to hit the scene.

If you’re a buyer looking to get into the cottage market, here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening in Ontario’s cottage regions.

Muskoka

Three hours north of Toronto, Muskoka’s known for its windswept pines, rocky shores, and luxurious cottages. But as the CREA reported, Muskoka is currently short on inventory. According to real estate broker Susan Benson, waterfront property listings in the region are at their third lowest in the last 10 years. This has caused a spike in prices.

“The median list price for January and February is up 27 per cent compared to last year at the same time,” Benson says. The median list price for a waterfront property in Muskoka currently sits at $1.7 million.

This median price, however, might see a dip in the next few months. Benson says that at the end of 2022, properties were sitting on the market for about 15 days. Now it’s closer to 47. “Buyers aren’t biting,” she says. With properties sitting for longer, sellers may have to lower their prices to make themselves more appealing.

“A property that is priced properly can end up looking like a bargain in a market with competing properties that are overpriced,” Benson says.

Plus, the spring season typically brings additional inventory, giving buyers more choice and control. “You should, as a buyer, be able to negotiate conditions that ensure a proper vetting of the property and confirm your ability to pay for it,” Benson says. “This was the piece that was missing at this time last year.”

The Kawarthas

Southeast of Muskoka is the Kawarthas, a chain of lakes that feed into the Trent River. Similar to its northern neighbour, the region is suffering from lack of inventory, which is keeping prices high. “I listed one last Wednesday and had four showings on it. I got two offers, and it still sold $30,000 over the asking,” says Greg Ball, a real estate broker from the area.

The average price of a waterfront property in the Kawarthas currently ranges from $700,000 to $1 million, depending on the size and location of the property.

Ball predicts that the rise of interest rates and the financial burden of variable mortgages might spur an injection of new inventory into the market in May, balancing out prices and reducing the chances of bidding wars.

“From past experience, when a recession-type market hits, you dispose of what you can,” he says. “Something like the cottage will come before the house.”

If you’re planning on shopping around in the region, Ball advises using a local realtor. “We went through three years of people buying from their Toronto agent, and I’m not knocking them, but we are now getting calls from those people that purchased in 2021 and 2022 that can’t get their money back because they bought in a poor area,” he says. “I just can’t stress how crucial it is to use a local realtor that knows the area.”

Bay of Quinte

A little west of Kingston, not far from Frontenac, is the Bay of Quinte, a long and narrow body of water that connects to Lake Ontario. Unlike the two previous regions, the Bay of Quinte is already seeing its inventory bounce back.

“We’re probably up 20 per cent since December, which is typical,” says local real estate agent Doug Peterson. “When you look at the waterfront market, it’s pretty predictable, seasonal up and down.”

He expects more properties to come on the market in the coming months. “I think a lot of sellers have been hesitating over the last six months just because of uncertainty, and now things are starting to firm up a little bit more in the economy,” Peterson says. “It’s still a little topsy turvy, but people can’t wait forever.”

The Bay of Quinte hasn’t seen any recent fluctuations in waterfront prices, with the average hovering around $800,000.

If you’re looking to buy in the region, Peterson says you should act quickly. “The market is pretty tight, and well-priced listings are starting to move fast. There is a little bit of urgency that’s come back into the market,” he says. “We went for a few months where buyers were able to wait and see, and now we have those people saying, ‘Oh geez, I guess I should have done something.’”

Grand Bend

A little north of London on the sandy shores of Lake Huron is Grand Bend. The region is home to an iconic beach, making nearby cottages a hot commodity. But compared to 2022, inventory is down. “Last year, being a pandemic year, the situation was a little bit different, a little bit of a frenzied market. So, we’re looking now at more of a return to normal,” says local real estate broker Emily Carcamo.

As of the end of March, Grand Bend had 39 waterfront listings available with an average price of around $1 million. “That’s actually quite good,” Carcamo says. “If we’re looking at waterfront from Port Franks up to Bayfield, we’re looking at about 11 properties for sale where the average price is over $2 million.”

Grand Bend prices aren’t expected to see any drastic changes, but property on Lake Huron is a niche market meaning there’s always interest. In fact, the average sale price for waterfront properties in 2023 is 14 per cent higher than it was at this time last year. While days on market remains similar. In March 2022, properties sat for approximately 13 days. In March 2023, it increased to 15 days. This means properties are still turning over quickly.

The area has traditionally seen a lot of attention from baby boomers moving to Grand Bend post-retirement, but COVID has pushed an increasing number of young families out of urban centres in search of rural retreats. In many cases, they’re buying older, more affordable properties and renovating them.

“We are seeing more families leaving urban centres where prices were more expensive,” Carcamo says. “They’re re-evaluating their priorities in life and their goals, wanting to live in more of a rural setting by the beach where life is a little bit slower, a little bit more enjoyable—living that vacation lifestyle.”

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Muskoka renames district road to honour Wahta Mohawks First Nation

Photo by Shutterstock/Anna Kraynova

Muskoka Road 38 winds through the District of Muskoka’s backcountry, connecting Highway 169 to Highway 400. Weaving through maple trees and granite outcroppings, the road cuts straight through the heart of the Wahta Mohawks First Nation.

Displaced from their homes in Kanesatake, Oka, Que. by the federal government, the Wahta Mohawks were relocated to Muskoka in 1881. Yet, despite the peoples’ long history with the area, they’ve had little opportunity to establish an identity. But that’s beginning to change.

On March 20, the Muskoka District Council passed a unanimous resolution to change the name of Muskoka Road 38 to Kanien’kehá:ka Iohatátie, meaning Mohawk People Road. The name change is part of the district’s attempt to strengthen Indigenous relations and honour its side of the truth and reconciliation process.

In June 2022, a multi-jurisdictional working group started meeting to figure out the details associated with changing a road’s name. The group included district staff from roads and transportation, geographic information systems, communications, and the continuous improvement unit, as well as staff and elected officials from the Township of Muskoka Lakes and Wahta Mohawks First Nation. The group discussed what impact a name change would have on databases, such as Google Maps, how it might affect emergency services, and what kind of budget would be required to replace road signs.

To select a name, Wahta Mohawks First Nation staff began an engagement campaign, reaching out to community members through newsletters, emails, direct mail, in-person outreach, and various social media platforms. Community members were asked to submit names in Kanien’Kéha, the Mohawk language, along with the English meaning of the name and the rationale for selecting it.

Forty-five names were submitted. Wahta Mohawks First Nation staff created a naming committee to narrow the submissions. The committee included Wahta Mohawks chief and council members, Wahta community elders, Wahta community youth, and two fluent Kanien’Kéha speakers. Three possible names were selected: Kanien’kehá:ka Iohatátie (Mohawk People Road), Wahta Iohatátie (Wahta Road), and À:kweks Iohatátie (Eagle Road).

In February, a tri-council was assembled, which included Wahta Mohawks Chief Philip Franks, Wahta Mohawks Councillor Lorie Fenton-Strength, Township of Muskoka Lakes Councillor Ruth Nishikawa, and District Chair, Jeff Lehman. Georgian Bay Mayor, Peter Koetsier, chaired the meeting as an unbiased facilitator. The tri-council had the opportunity to ask questions about the Wahta Mohawks’ history and the name selection process. In the end, the council adopted Kanien’kehá:ka Iohatátie as the new name for Muskoka Road 38.

“The new name, Kanien’kehá:ka Iohatátie, recognizes the Wahta Mohawks as a people and the territory where we live,” said Chief Franks in a statement. “Kanien’kehá:ka Iohatátie is no longer a number on a map; it now indicates an active community of people who have a unique language, culture, and history in Muskoka.”

The name still needs to be ratified by the Township of Muskoka Lakes’ council, which will likely happen in April. And Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation needs to sign off. The road’s grand renaming is scheduled for September 2023 in conjunction with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

As this name change will impact more than just the peoples of Wahta Mohawks First Nation, district staff are working to educate and support locals affected in the area—there are approximately 200 residential and commercial properties along Muskoka Road 38. To ease the transition, the district is offering a goodwill payment of $100 to each household or business along Muskoka Road 38. The payment is intended to cover the time and cost associated with updating identification, contact information, signage, and business materials.

Any residents or business owners with questions about the name change can contact Tina Kilbourne, project manager, at 705-645-1200 x 4308 or tina.kilbourne@muskoka.on.ca.

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Listing of the week: This custom-built Lake Muskoka cottage is in an unbeatable location

Four red Muskoka chairs sit on a dock. Landscaped stone steps lead up to a large cottage with huge windows and trees all around.

1176 Parkers Point Road, exterior

A landscaped property has a patio with a fire pit and stone steps leading down to a large lake. Trees line the property.

Overhead view of Lake Muskoka

A fire pit surrounded by red Muskoka chairs sits on a patio overlooking a large lake.

Fire pit and view of Lake Muskoka

Overhead view of a large living area with a couch, chairs, and hardwood floors. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide a view of a large lake.

Overhead view of Great Room

A large living area with a couch, chairs, and a television mounted on a stone accent wall. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide a view of a large lake.

Great Room facing south

A large living area with high ceilings, a couch, and a coffee table.

Great Room

A modern kitchen with an island, white cabinets, and updated appliances.

Kitchen

A dining table set with plates, with three chairs on either side.

Dining area

A spacious bedroom with a large bed and an en-suite bathroom.

Primary bedroom

A bright bathroom with a toilet, a sink, and a soaker tub.

En-suite bathroom

A bright, simple bedroom with a bed, a ceiling fan, and a big window.

Guest bedroom

A medium-sized bedroom with a bed, a dresser, and a ceiling fan.

Guest bedroom

A bright, simple bedroom with a bed, a ceiling fan, and a big window.

Guest bedroom

A small bathroom with a toilet, a sink, and a shower-bathtub combo.

Guest bathroom

A bright, finished basement space that has walkout access to a backyard. Hardwood floors, a piano and chairs complete the space.

Walk-out basement

A bright basement living area with a couch, a chair, a coffee table, and a television.

Walk-out basement

A finished basement area with hardwood floors and gym equipment.

Walk-out basement

A bright bedroom with spacious bunk beds and walkout access to the outdoors.

Basement bedroom

1176 Parkers Point Road, Gravenhurst, Ont.

Lake: Lake Muskoka, Ont.

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 4

Lot size: 0.4 acres

Frontage: 104 feet

Asking price: $3,999,999

Previous asking price: $3,495,000

Taxes: $11,456.05

Date listed: March 1, 2023

Listing agent: Curry Clifford, RE/MAX Professionals North Brokerage

About the property

Enjoy modern lakeside living in the grand Muskoka tradition in this three-year-old, custom-built five bedroom, four bathroom home that easily accommodates 12 people over three full floors with space for everyone to spread out. All in an unbeatable location on Lake Muskoka less than two hours from the 401/400 interchange and just five minutes by car—or boat—to the Gravenhurst Wharf. Many are awe-struck walking into the south-facing great room featuring cathedral ceilings, a wall of windows overlooking the water, and a Muskoka granite gas fireplace. The main floor primary bedroom is an absolute sanctuary with a walk-out to a wrap-around deck, an ensuite with a soaker tub, and a large stand-up shower. Spacious bedrooms on each level with the most scenic of office spaces overlook the great room and the mesmerizing trees and water. Other features include a beautifully appointed chef’s kitchen, a bright and large inviting lower level walk-out living space, and an outdoor space fit for entertaining. Gather on the docks, by the fire pit, on the patio, or on the wrap-around deck, each with captivating wide open views of Lake Muskoka, and enjoy the sweeping granite staircase, terraced gardens, and oversized new Jacuzzi hot tub. An incredible package for a family (or families) to enjoy as their primary home or easily rent out when not in use at a very attractive income. This is a rare gem. Furnishings package available.

What are the main selling features?

  • Gorgeous, spacious home in the grand Muskoka tradition
  • Three levels with five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a full entertainment space
  • Unbeatable location on Lake Muskoka less than two hours from the 401/400 interchange, on a municipal road
  • Five minutes by car—or boat—to the Gravenhurst Wharf
  • Fully rented last summer and fall at $15,000 per week

What makes this property unique?

  • Great outdoor entertaining space with a fire pit and a hot tub
  • Finished walk-out basement
  • Fully winterized for year-round living

Have there been any recent upgrades on the property?

A custom-built property that’s only three years old, everything in the home is up to date.

Take a tour


Would you like to list your cottage on our website? Email listingoftheweek@cottagelife.com.

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Township of Muskoka Lakes introduces mandatory pre-consultation on certain planning applications

Photo by Shutterstock/Georgian Bay Boudoir

The Township of Muskoka Lakes has made some changes to its planning process.

As of January 17, those looking to build in the area may have to undergo a pre-consultation with town staff before submitting their application. The change is intended to streamline the planning application process.

“A lot of applications were landing on my desk without any pre-consultations,” says Bryce Sharpe, the township’s manager of planning. “When that occurs, there may be missing information. And then you have to backtrack and start from square one, trying to get a hold of people and explain, ‘Well, we’ve reviewed your application and X, Y, and Z are required.’”

Pre-consultations are mandatory for zoning by-law amendments, official plan amendments, site plans, and condominium or plan of subdivision applications. There’s no fee for the pre-consultation, and it can be booked through the planning department’s email.

Previously, Sharpe says the township didn’t see a need for pre-consultations. Applicants would drop into the office if they had questions. But when COVID hit, the planning office closed to the public, cutting off that resource. “We were still doing pre-consultations via Zoom,” he says. “But it seemed like there were a lot of incomplete applications being submitted.”

During the pre-consultation, staff will go over an applicant’s proposal with them, pointing out any requirements, such as a necessary study or elevation drawings. For the pre-consultation, staff ask that the applicant provide them with the property’s tax assessment roll number, a brief description of the proposal, a site plan, and any preliminary drawings.

Due to restrictions under Ontario’s Planning Act, a pre-consultation isn’t mandatory for minor variance or consent applications, but Sharpe strongly recommends booking one anyways. He also adds that staff can waive the need for a pre-consultation under certain circumstances.

“Say there’s been a recent application made on a property and it’s been determined that a further exemption to the bylaw is required after the fact. We may say, at that point, we’re very familiar with the property. Given what’s proposed, I don’t think we need to pre-consult, just go ahead and submit your application,” Sharpe says.

“The intent is really just to make the whole process more streamlined and to identify requirements up front versus after the fact.”

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Deerhurst’s new owner plans to build thousands of recreational properties at cottage-country resorts

Photo Courtesy of Deerhurst Resort

Besides launching the singing career of Shania Twain, Deerhurst Resort has made its name as a family-friendly getaway in the heart of Ontario’s cottage country. Nestled on the western shore of Peninsula Lake, outside Huntsville, the 760-acre property features two golf courses, tennis courts, a spa, axe throwing, cross country ski trails, and 400 guest rooms. But after a recent ownership change, the 127-year-old resort will be undergoing a multi-million dollar facelift.

In September 2021, Freed Developments, owned and operated by Peter Freed, spent $330 million to acquire Deerhurst Resort; Horseshoe Resort, north of Barrie; and development lands at Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood from Skyline Investments Inc. Combined with Muskoka Bay Resort, which Freed opened in 2002, the purchase established Freed as the largest resort community owner in Canada.

The shift to cottage country, however, was an unanticipated move for Freed as the company has made most of its money developing condos in Toronto. The company said it plans to continue operating the properties as resorts but will develop the surrounding land with homes and condos.

“Freed’s resort portfolio will include over 1,000 existing hotel rooms and employ over 2,000 people locally. Long term, Freed is projecting to bring over 8,000 new developable units to the Northern Ontario market, with 3,000 of those units being delivered over the next five years,” the company said in a statement.

The new developments, which are being managed by Freed Hotels and Resorts, a division of the parent company, will serve as recreational properties that owners can either live in, cottage at, or rent out through the resort. Muskoka Bay Resort already has a number of villas, homes, and condo units that will be available for move-in by summer 2023. And Freed has started selling units for a condo that will be built at the base of Horseshoe Resort’s ski hill. According to Jesse Hamilton, the vice president of operations at Freed Hotels and Resorts, the same can be expected at Deerhurst.

“There have been approvals on land at Deerhurst to build mixed-use buildings, a combination of residential units and resort condominiums as well as some retail space, for close to 10 years,” Hamilton said. “We’ve already completed the plans for a new 400-room condominium hotel, which will act partially as a standalone resort in that it’ll have its own restaurants, it will have its own gym, it’ll have its own arrangement of meeting space, its own pool, but guests of this new building, and homeowners of this new building, will have access to all the amenities at the resort today.”

The new building will overlook the front nine of the resort’s Lakeside golf course. Hamilton said that Freed expects to enter the building phase soon. But first, as part of the planning process, the resort will hold a community open house with the town of Huntsville and the District of Muskoka in late February to present its development plan.

“The only reason the real estate opportunity exists at Deerhurst is because of the resort environment. There will be people who buy in this new development as an entry into having a cottage. That’s going to be a reality for a percentage of the owners; people who can’t necessarily afford a waterfront cottage due to the scarcity,” says Hamilton.

According to Huntsville planning staff, Deerhurst intends to build two buildings containing 447 units, connected by a shared entranceway. Huntsville’s town council approved development on this land in 2015 when former Deerhurst owner Skyline Investments brought forward a plan to build a four storey condo. However, the project never happened.

At the time, there was some pushback from members of the Peninsula Lake Association, who were worried construction would damage the canal between Peninsula Lake and Fairy Lake. The Hidden Valley Property Owners Association, a neighbouring community on Peninsula Lake, also had run-ins with Deerhurst over changes to its property. In 2019, the association wrote to the town about concerns it had over Deerhurst installing a series of staff trailers.

Kassandra Barker, a member of the Hidden Valley Property Owners Association, said she hasn’t received much information about Deerhurst’s proposed development, but she does have questions. “Are they going to be right on the water? Will [the owners] have boats? Will they not have boats? Do they have water access?”

Hidden Valley has a community meeting planned to discuss the development and to give members a broader understanding of Deerhurst’s plan. Until then, Barker is keeping a balanced outlook on the development. “If it’s going to create jobs in the area, then that’s a huge benefit. People get up in arms about cottage country getting too developed, which is understandable. It’s hard not to,” she said. “There’s only so much we can do to maintain the area’s cottage-country status. With massive buildings going up, that could be a huge problem.”

Deerhurst has submitted an application to the town for a zoning amendment to build on the land. As part of the application, Deerhurst must outline whether development will impact the environment, traffic, visual water and sewer, or stormwater management. If there are any impacts, Deerhurst will have to include mitigation measures it would implement to alleviate the situation.

The application will proceed through a public consultation period and then council will review it, said Huntsville councillor Cory Clarke in an email.

If council approves the plan, the sales phase for the condo units could start by late summer.

Property ownership isn’t a new concept at Deerhurst. In 2019, the resort reopened its Lakeside Lodge after an extensive renovation. The lodge included 150 condo units owned by individuals. One hundred of those units are part of Deerhurst’s rental program where the resort manages the unit, renting it out to guests, and giving a percentage of the earnings to the owner. Hamilton estimated that three quarters of the accommodations offered to guests at Deerhurst are condo units that the resort rents on behalf of the owner. The units that aren’t rented are either lived in or used as a recreational property.

In addition to plans for a new condo, Freed Hotels and Resorts will also complete a multi-million-dollar renovation on some of Deerhurst’s existing buildings. According to Hamilton, this will include updating the conference and meeting space; introducing new retail spaces at the resort, such as a café and clothing stores; a state-of-the-art gym facility, with studio space for workout classes; a club-level experience; as well as renovating 102 rooms in the resort’s main pavilion.

Despite all the changes, Hamilton stressed that Deerhurst will remain a resort, offering the same values it always has. “That will never change,” he said.

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Porter Airlines cancels flight service between Toronto and Muskoka

Photo by Shutterstock/The Bold Bureau

It’s back to driving if you want to head up to Muskoka. On January 11, Porter Airlines announced that it’s discontinuing flight service between Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport and Muskoka Airport, north of Gravenhurst, Ont.

“Porter has appreciated working with local tourism and airport partners to promote Muskoka over the years,” said Brad Cicero, the director of communications and public affairs for Porter Airlines, in a statement. “Our joint efforts have contributed to generating broader interest in the region that we hope will have long-term benefits for the community.”

James Murphy, the CEO of RTO 12, a regional tourism organization that has been advocating for commercial flights to Muskoka since 2016 and was responsible for attracting Porter to the area, said that Porter’s cancellation of the flight service was a business decision.

While Jeff Lehman, the district chair for Muskoka, said: “The service was cancelled due to changes made by the terminal operator at the Island Airport in Toronto.” He added that the cancellation will impact Muskoka tourist operators who used the service as a way to bring people to the region from the city. “It’s disappointing to be sure, given the service was successful.”

Porter would not specify what factors led to the decision. Although, the airline has shifted its focus to its 100 new aircraft, which will be flying out of Toronto’s Pearson Airport to Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary starting in February.

Despite the cancelled service, Murphy stressed that RTO 12 had no hard feelings towards Porter. “At the time, we partnered with Porter, we were an untested airport and destination for the aviation industry, and our business case was built on projections,” he said. “Now, we have solid data and experience for building scheduled service at the airport, including successfully increasing the number of international visitors in 2022 over the inaugural season.”

Porter partnered with RTO 12 and the Muskoka Airport in 2019, offering flights between the two airports twice a week. The average cost of a roundtrip flight was around $200 with the trip taking approximately 20 minutes one way.

The pandemic, however, forced Porter to cancel the service in 2020 and 2021. The company restarted service in 2022. Despite a successful relaunch and, according to Murphy, an increase in passengers in 2022 compared to 2019, it wasn’t enough for Porter to continue the operation.

Moving forward, Murphy said RTO 12 will use the data collected during Porter’s flight service to create a compelling business case that will ideally attract other commercial airline services to Muskoka Airport.

“Our objective all along has been to increase international visitors to the region because they stay longer and spend more,” he said. “Commercial air service also allows us to be competitive with urban tourism destinations, such as Ottawa, Toronto, and Niagara Falls.”

Muskoka Airport’s CEO, Len O’Connor shared similar thoughts. “Muskoka continues to be a popular destination for both business and leisure passengers. Scheduled service in Muskoka has proven to be successful—the Porter Airline service offered many opportunities to enhance operations and we are looking forward to what the future brings.”

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Cottage Life

Man charged in Lake Rosseau boat collision that killed a swimmer

Stock image of OPP boat on the water in Thunder Bay, ON. Photo copyright of Michel Curi/CC BY 2.0

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged a Huntsville man after striking and killing a swimmer with his boat in Lake Rosseau last July.

Around 7 a.m. on the morning of July 25, the OPP’s Bracebridge detachment, Muskoka EMS, and the Muskoka Lakes Fire Department responded to multiple 911 calls reporting an unresponsive man floating in the water near Shamrock Lodge Road in Port Carling, approximately 20 metres out from a dock.

EMS managed to lift the man onto a floating dock and administered life-saving measures. After no response, he was taken by ambulance to South Muskoka Memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

The 48-year-old man had been staying at nearby Shamrock Lodge and had headed out for an early morning swim equipped with a visibility marker. Zavier Foyston, who was out driving his boat, collided with the man. Foyston stayed on scene, cooperating with OPP.

After a thorough investigation, the OPP announced on Wednesday that it was charging the 26-year-old Foyston with operating a vessel in a careless manner. Foyston will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on February 7.

OPP Const. Samantha Bigley said she was unaware of any civil action being brought against Foyston by the victim’s family.

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Cottage Life

Iconic Robinsons General Store abruptly closes after 100 years in business

Photo Courtesy of Robinsons General Store

On January 8, employees of Dorset, Ont.’s Robinsons General Store were told they no longer had jobs starting the next day. After 100 years, the store would close, with current owners, Mike and Katie Hinbest, no longer operating the business. No reason for the closure was given.

By January 9, the store had pulled down its Facebook page, emails bounced back, and its phone rang endlessly, unanswered.

Online, among the Dorset community, there’s speculation that the store ran into financial trouble and had to foreclose. But this is unverified as the Hinbests did not respond to comment.

The Hinbests bought Robinsons General Store in April 2021, after it was reportedly listed for $6 million. Previously, the Hinbests operated a Napa Auto Parts store in Orangeville, Ont. As part of their new ownership, the Hinbests expanded the store by adding a café and upgrading merchandise.

Prior to the Hinbests, the Robinson family owned the store. In 1921, Harry and Marguerite Robinson opened the 1,200 sq. ft. general store meant to service the logging industry and a few locals. After the Second World War, when money once again rolled in, Harry proposed building an addition. Harry’s son, Brad, who took over the store in the mid-1950s, helped oversee the addition. Since then, the store has gone through 14 more additions and now sits at 14,000 sq. ft. of retail space, including a grocery store and a hardware store. The Robinsons also opened a nearby marina.

In 1991, Brad’s daughter, Joanne Robinson, and her husband, Willie Hatton, took over the store. Brad still helped on the day-to-day, working into his 80s. Joanne and Willie ran the store for 37 years, with their son, Ryan, helping part time. In the winter of 2020, the family put the store up for sale.

The Robinsons did not respond to comment on the store’s current situation.

The store’s closure has drawn concern from the community, both for historical reasons and convenience. Robinsons is the main source of groceries in the Dorset area. With the store closed, many residents are having to drive half an hour to Huntsville, Ont., for groceries and other supplies, which is problematic for residents who can’t drive. But the community is rallying with a flood of offers on the Dorset Facebook page to pick up groceries for those who can’t make the trip.

Online, Robinsons General Store says it’s “temporarily closed,” but there’s no word on future plans for this iconic cottage country store.

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