Big Bay Point Resort project receives wide support
Environmental Benefits Key to Approval

Innisfil, April 4, 2007 - After five years of consultation and planning with the local community, the County of Simcoe and environmental groups, the proposed Big Bay Point Resort has received the 'thumbs up'.

The resort plan has been dramatically downsized to contain 1600 condominiums and 400 hotel rooms and a 1000-slip marina on the western shore of Lake Simcoe just south of Big Bay Point. More than a third of the 600-acre site has been set aside as an environmentallyprotected area, between a championship golf course to the west and the marina/condominium site to the east.

The Town of Innisfil, the County of Simcoe and local ratepayer and environmental groups as well as the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation authority are on the record as being in support of the resort plan, which will provide a major economic and infrastructure stimulus to the Town of Innisfil.

The developer, Geranium Corporation, will bear the cost of new sewer and water lines to the site. The access to waste treatment facilities required by the resort will actually reduce the phosphorus loading of Lake Simcoe, in part because it will allow local residents to get off septic systems and onto sanitary sewers.

"We hope this resort can be a powerful demonstration to local developers and planners that innovative and environmentally-positive features can be incorporated into our residential and recreational development," says Erich Jacoby-Hawkins, a member of the Board of Directors of the Barrie-based environmental organization, "Living Green".

He has followed the progress of the resort proposal for the past several years.

The staff of the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, (LSRCA), is also on record as being in support of the project, stating in a letter to the LSRCA Board:

"With regard to concerns associated with water quantity the consultant was able to satisfy the Authority requirements and document that the proposed development would not negatively impact ground or surface water resources. Recognizing that water quality would be a significant issue the proponent approached the Authority with a plan whereby the development would reduce the existing phosphorus load entering Lake Simcoe by minimizing the impact of the developed lands and address existing local sources presently contributing to the lake."

Also said was "…the proponents willingness to undertake additional remedial works to reduce the phosphorus loading to Lake Simcoe should be used as an example to other developers within the watershed."

Geranium Corporation President Earl Rumm says he is pleased with the support from the public, elected officials, county and town staff as well as ratepayers groups across the region.

"We've worked hard together to find solutions and compromises that work for everyone, and most important, we're going to have a resort that is both environmentally and economically sound for Innisfil and Simcoe County" says Rumm.