70
|
SUMMER
2015
PHOTOS | LEFT AHEAD PHOTOGRAPHY
STORY | DEENA DOLAN FINDLAY
that
was
then..
IN1963
it was introduced as ‘themost elaborate ski resort inOntario’. $1.5million had been invested initially
to build the22 room hotel, 2 large dormitories, two chair lifts, one T-Bar, the Fireside Lounge, and theEdelweiss Bar.
It also boasted the largest ski school in the provincewith20 instructors. From1964 to1968 it wasmarketed as
‘Ontario’s Four SeasonRecreationDestination’ with the addition of a golf course, Beaver Lodge and swimming pool.
Then from1974 to1978 four tennis courtswere added. In1980, JakeHammer purchased the resort, continued the
growth andmade significant improvements to the family friendly resort. It became one of the first winter destinations
inOntario to offer snowboarders complete access to the ski areas. The hotel was updated and expanded to32 rooms
with a beautifully appointed200 seat dining room, meeting rooms, hot tubs, and sauna and the snowmakingwas
upgraded. ByDecember 1985, with the help of a strong promotional campaign, membership at theClub had a500%
increase. In2006, TalismanResort was again sold, this time to a consortium headed up byWilliamA.Minnis, who
announced plans to invest $2.5million in snowmaking, construction of condominiums and single family homes aswell
as future plans of expanding the golf course and installing high-speed chair lifts. InMay 2011, theResort closed it
doors after declaring bankruptcy. The propertywas abandonded and left to the elements for four long years as
squatters and damp took their toll. In February 2014, a group of developers, led by businessmanBrianEllis, stepped
in, purchased the neglected and deserted property and began the long process of bringing it back to glory.
