Golf club becomes a subdivision
By Chris Simon

Photo by Chris Simon Country Homes president Ernie Rinomato, front centre, speaks during the grand opening of his company's new subdivision Friday.

An old country club is getting some new use.

After sitting vacant for the last few years, the Lake Simcoe Golf and Country Club property will be developed into a 600 home subdivision called Alcona By the Lake. Once construction is complete over the next few years, the Country Homes owned property will feature 35 to 50 foot single lots, town homes, and a walking trail, said president Ernie Rinomato.

"We know we'll be here for a few years ... we're excited to be here," he said. "The absorption rate in this area is growing, especially with access to the GO train (in Barrie). We love the fact that the community is under two minutes to the lake, with access to the Innisfil Beach Park area.

"The way the project's been designed, there's actually a trail system that comes right through. We haven't given it a name, but we want to honour the family that's owned this property for a long time."

Photo by Chris Simon Several dignitaries attended the subdivision opening.

Country Homes held a grand opening for the property last week.

Several dignitaries attended the opening, and were pleased by the subdivision plans.

"We are making great steps forward to build a community," said mayor Brian Jackson. "This is part of building a community. It's a Master Plan community, but it fits into the Alcona Secondary Plan. We look forward to seeing this project develop."

Rinomato says the subdivision is unique for several reasons.

"We're governed under strict architectural guidelines," he said. "What that addresses are nonprotruding garages, front doors that you can see from the street, high pitched roofs, and specific details with stone and brick. We have incredible master bedrooms with en suites, many of our models also offer second en suite bathrooms."

And it will help serve the needs of the town's growing population, said Rinomato.

"Since the freeze of the greenbelt, it's forcing people to come north from Toronto," he said. "This is the perfect spot to be; it's not Barrie.

"These houses are going to be here forever, so you a wonderful place to feel comfortable. We're not just homebuilders, we're community builders."

The Black Family previously owned the property for about 20 years, while it was operating as the country club.

Their lawyer, Marvin Geist, says the subdivision shows that necessary progress is being made in the municipality.

"This town, in the last year and a half, has really seen what's coming," he said. "They built a recreational complex that is second to none, the town administration centre just opened and now here we are.

"Here we are again addressing the future. It's not the sleepy little Innisfil anymore.

"We hope the community will show vitality in the future of the town."