T
Staff Writer
he "Florida" of Canada
Dick Provost has made Resort on the Lake his permanent home since 1994. Now he wants to have others join him as owners at the RV park on Arbot Road, on the shores of Westwood Lake. "We were the third person in here," says Provost. "We've had some people here that came here for a weekend - seven years ago. This is the Florida of Canada."
Provost, a well known Nanaimo businessman with roots in the automotive industry, has been General Manager for 8 of the 15 years he's been at Resort on the Lake. The property has 149 lots, which have been occupied by long term renters, seasonal campers and vacationers. "There are 29 people who have memberships in the clubhouse, and we have approximately 10 protected renters," notes Provost. "Those that have been here before April 5, 2005, will be given an opportunity to purchase a permanent site, but if they decide to stay and remain renting, they can." The City of Nanaimo recently granted a plan to move Resort on the Lake from a resort to strata owned, permanent residence designation.
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Amenities include a clubhouse which is open seven days a week during the tourist season and hosts number of friendly events, including poker night, Sunday pancake breakfasts, and dances. There are also laundry facilities, a pool table and meeting rooms. Outside, there is a hot tub, pool (with regular aquasize fitness classes), putting green, tennis court, horseshoe pit and areas for playing bocce ball. And of course there's the renowned trail circling Westwood Lake, which is a city park, and fishing and canoeing in the lake itself. Purchasing a lot at Resort on the Lake means the buyer is also part owner of the amenities. Provost estimates 80 per cent of the people at Resort on the Lake are from Vancouver Island. "People that have a fifth wheel have shopped Vancouver Island, and have come to the conclusion that this is as nice as
it gets. Nanaimo has the most temperate climate in Canada," he says. "They can get anywhere from here in a day. For example, they can leave for the West Coast in the morning, walk on Long Beach, have lunch in Tofino and be back here by the early evening." Gordon McLay has been at Resort on the Lake for seven years, coming from Camrose, Alberta. "We like it here. It's a nice place, good location, and convenient with the bus stop right next door," he says. "We're comfortable here."
RV Resort on the Lake Photo
Les Orsett has stayed at Resort on the Lake for six months of the year for several seasons now, spending the rest of the year in Arizona and California. "It's really good here. It's quiet, close to the beach, and there are good walking trails here," he says. The lots vary in size from 2,150 square feet and up, and include two parking spaces. All sites have sewer, water, natural gas and cable. Purchasers can build an additional 350 square feet of deck, and have the option of enclosing as much of a third of that and making it into a sitting room, or even a bedroom.
RV Resort on the Lake Photo
"This is perfect for people who want to downsize," says
Gord Wall of RE/MAX of Nanaimo, who is marketing the project. 'They can put their unit here, put a skirt on it if they want and stay for the rest of their lives." Provost adds that "There are strict building rules." "And it's quiet here. If people don't want to abide by the rules of the park, then they can tell the people they know about the place they used to live." There is a $5,000 rebate off the first 25 sales of the lots, which range in price from $60,000 to just under $100.000. People can test it out," says Wall. "They can stay for a week or so, and if they like it, they can buy it."
For information on Resort on Lake, contact Gord Wall at 250-751-1223, or visit
www.resortonthelake.com.
Virtual Tours online at:
www.rvsnowbirds.com
www.rvsnowbirds.com | October/November 2010
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