Experience ramping up
Renovations start next month at West Prince resort complex
The pro shop at the Mill River Resort will be the first to move when renovations get underway next month.
Facility manager Louise Arsenault said the golf pro shop, currently being used as the ski shop, will be relocated to the south end of the building.
It’s all part of an extensive renovation schedule planned by the facility’s new owner, Don McDougall. Arsenault said the current shop as well as the adjacent pool court will be converted into new conference space, part of the plan announced in January to take the facility’s convention business to a “higher level.” There has already been one noted change at the facility. The resort traditionally closed down at the end of October, reopened for the March Break period and then closed again until May.
Arsenault said a decision was made in the fall to keep the resort open year-round.
“It’s proven to be working well, really well,” she said. Besides travellers and teams in the area for tournaments, Arsenault said some people employed in the area are staying there during the week. Additionally, the resort’s dining room has been getting great local support, she reported.
“It’s an exciting start.” While renovations at the resort only get underway in April, demolition work has been taking place for the past two weeks on the property’s former Fun Park. Most of that property has been leveled, although some of the infrastructure has been saved and will be incorporated into the campground and next to the aquaplex. Biking and hiking trails will be incorporated into the area. Arsenault said the aquaplex will be rebranded as a recreation and wellness centre and expanded to include outdoor attractions.
The corporate identity for the whole complex, which includes the resort, campground and championship golf course is the Mill River Experience, but, said Arsenault, “We call it Mill River.”
Renovations will be carried out in phases over a 30-month period. Besides the relocation of the pro shop and work on the additional conference space, Arsenault said some guest rooms will be renovated in the first phase and an elevator will be installed in the lobby area. In tandem with the pro shop relocation will be a reconfiguration of the parking area, including parking near the new pro shop and a drive-thru area to accommodate campground registration through the resort’s front desk.
“The whole goal is to bring it altogether,” Arsenault said, explaining that campers, upon registering, will get a glimpse of the many attractions available to them during their Mill River experience.