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Offers a relaxing spot to "get away fo from it all" For the past few months, Seven Mile Island has been undergo- ing something of a transformation. ¢ Tradesmen, labourers and student gardeners have been swarming over the place to turn this millionaire's estate into a small resort-hotel com- plex which will offer guests a quiet, easy- going and relaxing spot to "get away from it all" for a few days or longer. It will be called, ap- propriately enough, Seven Mile Island Resort, and last week as manager Ron Parrott gave the Star a tour of the buildings and spacious grounds, he was enthusiastic and more than confident that all the finishing touches would be in place by ear- ly July when an official opening is planned and the first guests will start arriving. Seven Mile Island overlooks Lake Scugog on the west shore of Scugog Island, and since it was built by a wealthy businessman more than Summer Picnic Pack 50 years ago, the name has had an air of mystery about it for local people living in the area. Ownership changed hands over the years and the most recent resident was wealthy mining magnate Paddy Har- rison, a gentleman now in his eighties who put the place up for sale two years ago. Last summer, the pro- perty was purchased by a company headed by Robert Mark, a Toronto lawyer originally from Hong Kong, and the plans to turn it into a resort-hotel were put in motion. Although some work was done last year, Mr. Parrott said the serious renovations got under- way in February, and it hasn't been easy to turn the rambling, two storey 'main house' (some 5000 square feet) into ten guest rooms on the upper level and several lounges, sun room and conference room for small business meetings on the lower level. viele A ready-to-go pichic! Everything's included: ® Tasty Fried Chicken ® Garden-Fresh Salads ® Rolls and Butter ® Plastic cutlery and plates all for one low price! 2 SIZES TO CHOOSE FROM For 4 people 10" pe. PACK | (75pe. PACK For 6 people Uo k8 Lr PEPSI _ os E i Cl Sn SPECIAL OFFER =@cans of PEPSI only 7.49: " Te P_GCHASE TF DINE LEE § wmia PACK JR ANY FAM] Lv PAK Available only at: CHICKEN & SEAFOOD PHONE AHEAD FOR FASTER SERVICE 136 WATER ST. PORT PERRY 985-9009 "THANK YOU FOR 20 GREAT YEARS!" As much as possible, Mr. Parrott said the con- cept has been to retain the distinct 1920's character and flavour of the building, while at the same time renovating and up-grading to pro- vide guests with th. amenities and comforts they expect at a resort- hotel in the 1980's. The major work such as re-wiring, new plum- bing and fixtures for ten guest rooms, dry-walling and so on, has been com- pleted. In the next three weeks, the place will be decorated, carpeted and furnished. In addition, to the main building, which will be called The Wilson House, after the man who built the place back in the '20's two cottages on the pro- perty have been com- pletely renovated to pro- vide eight suites. A second house is be- ing turned into a restaurant with seating for up to 85 people, and Mr. Parrott said this will be open to non-guests. In total, Seven Mile Island Resort will pro- vide accommodation for 36 guests based strictly on double occupancy, but there is a good chance a - new building will be con- structed in the near future with an additional 20 guest rooms. Mr. Parrott said the concept of the resort will be to offer peace and quiet, relaxation, a spot where guests can enjoy the surroundings and the beauty of Lake Scugog. There will be recreation such as tennis, badmin- ton, swimming (in the 50 x 24 outdoor pool) wind- surfing, but it will all be at any easy pace. There won't be any recreation or social directors running around telling people what to do, said Mr. Parrott. The resort will also be set up to handle small groups for business meetings, but in keeping with the relaxing at- mosphere, the guest rooms will not have such things as phones or TV sets. Since Seven Mile Island is within an easy drive to Toronto, Mr. Parrott said they hope to attract out of province and American guests who want to visit the ci- ty, but don't want the hustle and bustle of stay- ing in a big city hotel. And the resort will operate year round with guests able to take ad- vantage of good skiing at nearby locations. Since the total property area includes some 200 acres, cross skiing will be offered. Mr. Parrott, who managed the Talisman Ski Resort near Coll ingwood for seven years, points out that one of the main drawing cards for Seven Mile Island will be the unique aspects of the property itself. The acreage around the main house and din- ing room is almost im- possible to desc.ibe. There are numerous statues, fountains, gardens, a huge pond, a circular driveway sur- rouned by intricate stone work, water wheels, bird houses, a tea house, a long pergola, rock gardens, lawns, huge shade trees, reflecting pool, and a sheltered view of Lake Scugog. Walking the spacious grounds is almost like stepping onto the set of a movie such as "The Great Gatsby." Much work has had to be done to spruce up the gardens, lawns, pools, and walkways, but as Mr. Parrott said "the potential is enormous.' The property is totally secluded. The only way to get to it is via a long, private man-made causeway that cuts through a swamp at the foot of Concession 11 on Scugog Island. Along the shore-line, large trees buffer the buildings and grounds from boat traffic on the lake. PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, June 19, 1984 -- 15 Seven Mile Island Resort opens to public soon Turning the property into a resort has been an ambitious under-taking. Mr. Parrott said the cost of renovations and fur- nishings alone will run to some $400,000, and coupl- ed with a purchase price reported to be in the neighbourhood of $600,000, there is an in- vestment of close to $1 million before the first guests arrive. And while it has been the country estate of more than one wealthy owner, you won't have to be a millionaire to stay there. Mr. Parrott said rates will be about $70 per day per person (dou- ble occupancy) and that will include breakfast and supper. Once complete, this resort will be the only one on the shores of Lake Scugog, and still just an hour's drive from Canada's largest city, a point Mr. Parrott and Mr. Mark are quick to point out. But right now, they are looking ahead to July 4, the planned date for the official opening of Seven Mile Island Resort. paheahe oa oud B04 oo sume rr A FAY Robert Mark and manager Ron Parrott stand in front of one of the many fountains on the spacious grounds of Seven Mile Island, which is now being changed into a resort-hotel complex slated to open early next month. (See story for details) BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! LIGHTING SPECIAL This is a repeat of our Opening Sell-Out Special on Lamps. BRASS TABLE LAMP Large lamp with pleated linen shade MATCHING BRASS FLOOR LAMP PRATT & LAMBERT VAPEX® LATEX FLAT WALL FINISH * No spatter, no mess * Distinctively different - uniform smoothness * Lightfast colors - remarkably washable * For plaster, wallboard, masonry CHOOSE WHITE OR ONE OF 300 CUSTOM TINTS. oy 99 $ i IMPERIAL GALLON TH WALLPAPER ORDERS 20% OFF 15% OFF PAINTS All paints discounted excluding Vapex paint on sale in this ad. it. (8 LAMA Sold in the 12% larger Imperial Gallon! Settlement 183 Queen St., Port Perry Ouse 985-8234