Elk Ridge ownership deal receives thumbs up from surrounding business community

Accommodations in the cabins and townhouses will be available starting December 4th with the renovated Walleyes restaurant opening a week later. Visitors can also enjoy a full slate of outdoor activities including cross country skiing, crokicurl, the toboggan hill, skating, hiking, and snowshoeing.

Morris Sawchuk is Chair of the Elk Ridge Hamlet Board and relayed his own excitement to the deal.

“We were waiting with bated breath all spring, summer, and fall, hoping new owners would take possession,” he said.

“It takes a lot of pressure off our business” _{– Jori Kirk, Treeosix Adventure Park}

For the hamlet, the running of Elk Ridge Resort essentially represents the possibility of more investors moving into the area. Sawchuk said there was already a tremendous amount of real estate sold during the summer and fall in the way of condos and empty lots for building projects.

“People are really looking forward to the resort opening back up and I think psychologically we are all looking for some positive things,” he said.

The hamlet is currently under the governance of the District of Lakeland, but is in the process of seeking Resort Village status. To support from the District of Lakeland council, the hamlet board has also received letters of support from both the Elk Ridge Community Owners Association, and the resort itself, but still requires support from the provincial government. Sawchuk said he hopes the increased real estate activity will help their bid.

Gord Bueckert, President of the Waskesiu Chamber of Commerce, told paNOW the re-opening of Elk Ridge in conjunction with the nearby Waskesiu Golf Course, makes the area a great golf destination. And when the people come to golf, they’ll stay to enjoy the nearby shops and restaurants the Waskesiu townsite has to offer.

“Our townsite can accommodate so many people and having Elk Ridge on board, allows more people to come up to our area,” he said.

Another business that will directly benefit from the re-opening of Elk Ridge is the Treeosix Adventure Park, which also sits on the property and features a zip line tour, climbing wall, electric fat bike rentals, axe throwing, and a giant swing.

The award winning course at Elk Ridge is a must play for any golfer. (Submitted photo/ Ryan Danberg)

The owners, which have a lease agreement, were planning to re-open regardless next season but Jori Kirk told paNOW the announcement of the sale will help.

“It takes a lot of pressure off our business in terms of having to be on our own, trying to encourage people to come out to the place that you operate,” he said. “It gives us a whole other opportunity to entice people.”

Kirk said he has had a chance to meet the new owners and was quite impressed by their enthusiasm as well as the fact they have proud Saskatchewan roots.

“So I think there’s just that good old Saskatchewan feel to it,” he said.

–

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

Elk Ridge ownership deal receives thumbs up from surrounding business community

What's Trending