Grey Highlands Council receives delegations on future of former Talisman Resort Lands
On May 21st, a special meeting of Grey Highlands Council was held to hear from the Friends of the Beaver Valley, a delegation of interested local parties who wanted to share their vision for both the Municipal properties and the privately owned property, that comprised the former Talisman Resort.
On May 28th, the Municipality hosted another special meeting of Council on to receive a delegation from Westway Capital who outlined their vision for the same properties.
According to Grey Highlands’ Mayor, Paul McQueen, “It was really encouraging to hear from both parties about their vision for the identified properties and their overriding respect for the Beaver Valley. I think Council was impressed with both presentations and is well aware of the importance of any future undertakings on both the Municipally owned lands and the privately owned former Talisman Resort lodge lands. It was interesting to note that both parties’ visions were centred around respect for the lands, the environment, and the community, which are priorities for Council, as well.”
Over the past months there has been significant and varied interest in both the Municipally owned and the privately owned properties, and a number of groups have been undertaking due diligence to assess the opportunities, according to representatives from thinkCOMPASS, the consultants working on behalf of the landowners.
It was important for both Council and the public to have an opportunity to hear from the groups that delegated these past two weeks, as well as any other group that has a serious interest in the future development of these lands. Council will be looking to ensure that any future activities or undertakings for the Municipally owned lands respect the Valley’s ecological integrity and support the needs of the community for generations.
Grey Highlands Council has committed to being a leader in fostering innovation, creativity and vibrancy in building a strong, resilient and sustainable economy. Council has a responsibility to assess all opportunities related to the Municipally owned lands in both the Beaver Valley and downtown Markdale through a lens that balances long-term resiliency, economic sustainability, environmental responsibility, and a commitment to ratepayers of today and those who will follow in future generations.
As identified under the Vibrant Economy pillar of the Municipality of Grey Highlands’ Strategic Plan (adopted by Council in October 2019), Council has committed to spearheading opportunities for the development of Municipally owned lands in downtown Markdale and within the Beaver Valley.
Since October 2020, the Municipality has been working with Grey County and their investment attraction consultants, thinkCOMPASS, to explore the feasibility of options related to these Municipally owned properties.
On March 2nd, 2021, the Municipality entered into a one-year Joint Venture Agreement with the owners of the Talisman Springs Inn property (2420124 Ontario Inc.), to promote and market the collective properties that once comprised the former Talisman Resort lands. While each of the parties in the Joint Venture Agreement retain ownership of their own respective lands, the Agreement commits the parties to collaborate and coordinate their efforts to evaluate, appraise, prepare, market, solicit offers and ideally sell the lands as a single development opportunity.
The Municipality of Grey Highlands has long recognized the importance of the Beaver Valley as an important feature of our community fabric. The closure of the former Talisman Resort was a significant loss for the entire community. By working collaboratively with the private sector property owners, the Municipality has an opportunity to attract responsible partners who will support a thoughtful, sustainable and respectful undertaking, while providing social, environmental and economic benefit to the residents and businesses across Grey Highlands for now and into the future.
For further information please contact:
Karen Govan
CAO, Municipality of Grey Highlands
The Municipality of Grey Highlands, the gateway to the Beaver Valley, is the 882 square kilometre region in the south east corner of Grey County, with a population of 10,000.
With a commitment to build a vibrant economy and a sustainable future for the Municipality’s residents of today and tomorrow, Grey Highlands is taking a strategic and innovative approach to deliver on the promise of being Canada’s most inspired and well-managed rural community.
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