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JANUARY – MARCH 2020
RESORTDEVELOPER.COMVACATION INDUSTRY REVIEW
Living Water Resort & Spa, comprising The Residences at Living
Water and Vitality Assurance Vacations at Collingwood, is the only
waterfront property in Collingwood, a town that traces its history to the
Iroquoian Petun nation. In planning his resort, the developer took full
advantage of a spectacular location by creating a 120-slip marina, revi-
talizing an existing 18-hole golf course, building tennis courts and indoor
and outdoor swimming pools with hot tubs, adding several restaurants,
and creating a spa experience that would be hard to top. In addition, he
included event and meeting space, access to skiing, and other amenities.
Caring Community
Law, already a successful developer and builder in Ontario, discovered
the former Cranberry Village on a family trip, decided he liked what he
saw, and wanted to make this available to other families, too, says Warren
Smith, Living Water Resorts’ executive vice president. “He wanted to cre-
ate a fun, caring community. Caring for our residents, caring for our staff,
and caring for everyone we come in contact with.”
Law started acquiring property in the area in 1994, beginning with
a tract of 750 acres (303 hectares), according to Smith. The developer
drew up a business plan in two tracks: a single-family and a resort seg-
ment. The single-family component consisted mainly of second and
third homes for those whose primary homes were elsewhere, Smith
explains. “This is Ontario’s premier resort community,” he says.
In 2008, Law broke ground on the first phase of Living Water Resort
& Spa, with 30 units comprising one- and two-bedroom suites. Phase
2 followed in 2013 (30 units, all two-bedroom lock-offs) and Phase 3 in
2015, the largest phase to date, with 50 units, all two-bedroom lock-offs.
“We’re just breaking ground on Phase 4,” Smith says. Construction
has started on 42 one- and two-bedroom units, ranging in size from
1,200 to 1,560 square feet (111 to 145 square meters), a movie theater,
and storage for skis and bicycles.
The developer is in pre-sales for Phase 4. Plans include light-
splashed interiors decorated in a subtle and soothing palette of neutrals.
Clean-lined, fully equipped stainless steel and granite kitchens will strike
a modern note.
Something for Everyone
“This is a legitimate four-season resort,” says Smith. In the winter,
miles of groomed trails beckon those who enjoy cross-country ski-
ing and snowshoeing. Summer stays can be spent around one indoor
and two outdoor swimming pools, or on the resort’s award-winning golf
course. There’s also tennis, volleyball and basketball, and a children’s
playground.
In addition to the sports and recreational amenities, there are the
Lakeside Seafood and Grill (a waterfront restaurant with a culinary
theater that seats 16 and a private dining room for groups); Memories
Restaurant, which serves Italian cuisine; the seasonal Station on the
Green, a patio restaurant adjacent to the golf course; a rooftop patio
overlooking Georgian Bay; and two wedding venues, one of them
waterfront.
Many of the restaurants are open to the public, Smith says. There is
also meeting and events space. “We do a lot of weddings and corporate
retreats,” Smith explains. “We have a regular hotel on the resort premises
and a rental program our owners can join.”