PRESS RELEASE HUMBER VALLEY RESORT
Noton Enterprises Limited, a numbered company, 61839 Newfoundland and
Labrador Limited, and Oke Consultants Limited, all locally owned
companies, have formed a joint venture partnership and have purchased the
assets of Humber Valley Resort. The new owners intend to operate and
manage the Resort under a new corporate entity: Humber Valley Resort
Corporation (2010). I, Katie Watton, will be the Public Relations Director,
Gary Oke the Managing Director of Operations and Graham Watton, Q.C.,
General Counsel looking after all corporate and legal matters.
We will be focusing on making that which is already on site work properly so
that the Resort can become the success it already has the potential to be. First
let me state that Humber Valley Resort is one of the best things that has
happened to the West Coast of this beautiful Province. The vision was and
still is spectacular, unfortunately the execution was less so, but that is the
past. We have to put the past behind us and move forward. All that the
Humber Valley and the West Coast has to offer is still here and that hasn’t
changed - the scenic beauty and renowned hospitality which attracted people
to come here in the first place remains. We intend to promote and develop
Humber Valley Resort as a 4 season Resort Destination.
We do not intend to move away from the Resort concept. However, we are
confident that by combining permanent residents and seasonal and holiday
residents we will attain the best of both worlds and a perfect balance.
A major concern for many of the successful resorts in Western Canada -
Fernie, Panorama, Golden, Radium Hot Springs, Kimberly and the like is that
chalets are sold exclusively as second or vacation homes and the resorts
become desolate ghost towns in the off season.
These resorts are now moving to a mixed residency, both permanent and
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seasonal residents, and we are convinced that by using this approach we will
avoid these “down periods” and maintain the Resort’s vibrancy.
Some of the Humber Valley Resort’s permanent residents are former
vacationers who fell in love with our community, the people, the scenery, our
warmth, culture and our way of life.
People from all over the world call Humber Valley Resort their home. For
some, it is a vacation retreat, and for others it is a permanent residence. As a
resident of Humber Valley Resort your neighbours are from all over the
world - England, Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, various other places
throughout Europe, various parts of Canada and Newfoundland. An exciting
and stimulating mix of ideas and cultures.
We will shortly be meeting with the chalet homeowners association to work
out and arrange a smooth transition and takeover of the operation,
management and provision of all of the essential services to the Resort. A lot
of work has to be performed to improve and upgrade the existing services, the
roads, the communications, etc. We will start immediately.
With our very capable team which we will shortly be putting into place and
under the supervision of our capable Managing Director, Gary Oke, we will
get the Resort’s Golf Course in shape as one of the best golf courses in
Canada. The Resort and the golf course, which is an 18 hole, Par 72
championship golf course, has won some excellent awards in the past -
Humber Valley River Golf Course voted “Canada’s Best New Course 2007" -
voted Worldwide Resort of the Year 2006 and 2007 - Best New Canadian
Course, 3rd place - Best New International Course. Under the capable
management of Gary Oke we intend to win further awards for the Humber
River Golf Course and the Humber Valley Resort.
The cost of the green fees will be reasonable - we intend to attract more
members, visitors, golfers and tourists, who hopefully will come for several
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days - possibly weeks - and stay at the chalets at the Resort and vacation
throughout Western Newfoundland and the Northern Peninsula, bringing
economic benefit throughout the region.
Maintenance and rental of some of the chalets are presently being serviced
and rented by a number of rental and management companies, including
some owners themselves. We will shortly meet with these firms and
individuals and the chalet homeowners association. We will consult with the
chalet homeowners association and will have discussions with all of the
interested parties with respect to the various property maintenance and rental
management scenarios which are available and what would be in the best
interests of the chalet owners,
Humber Valley Resort and the people visiting
and staying at the beautiful chalets in Humber Valley Resort.
We will also shortly be working towards getting the Eagles Perch Club House
building up and running and available for special events, meetings,
conventions, weddings, and the opening of the Dining room, the bar, and the
golf shop. We have plans to provide themed events at the Eagles Perch at
various times of the year and to providing seminars and weekends to include
culinary instruction, wellness and personal development, and golfing
seminars, etc. Within a short period of time we will be creating between 30-
40 new jobs.
With the purchase of the Resort assets, the new owners have also purchased
all of the intellectual property, copyright, trademarks of Humber Valley
Resort. Humber Valley Resort has also in the past been honoured with 3
substantial website awards. The Resort also took top honours at the Silver
Spider Web Awards. Humber Valley Resort walked away with awards for
both site promotion and best overall site. We will be updating the website of
Humber Valley Resort.
We will be giving serious consideration to a 4 star hotel in the Resort’s future
plans, and incorporating and taking advantage of the Provincial
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Government’s Incentive Tax Credit Program. We are well aware of the
recent announcement and the various comments concerning the proposed
Resort developments in the Steady Brook area and we wish the developers
every success.
However, we strongly believe there is room in the Humber Valley Resort for
a 4 star hotel-condominium complex. We have the location, the
infrastructure, the international world class golf course and the spectacular
Eagles Perch Club House, its Dining and conference facilities, meeting and
banquet rooms and available lands adjacent to Eagles Perch which can
accommodate the construction of a 4 star hotel-condominium complex.
We are not making any big promises, however, we do realize that to take
advantage of the Provincial Government Incentive Tax Credit Program, we
will have to make a decision on the 4 star hotel-condominium complex within
the next 12-18 months.
We will consult with all stakeholders and keep them informed - the chalet
homeowners association - the chalet owners - the Provincial Government -
the Department of Tourism - Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador - the
various municipal councils throughout the Humber Valley region, Western
Newfoundland and Northern Peninsula.
We intend to provide the chalet owners association, the chalet owners, all of
the stakeholders, and the public with thorough and honest communication in
all aspects of the Resort’s operation to instill confidence and trust in the
Resort and its new owners.
Our goal is to get the Resort and golf course back into operation and further
develop and promote the Resort as a four season Destination and an upscale
residential community.
We have had an opportunity to recently review the Provincial Government’s
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long-term vision and plan which was released last February, titled
Uncommon Potential - A Vision for Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism”,
which provides a framework to guide both the Provincial Government and
their industry partners as we all work together to advance tourism in
Newfoundland and Labrador through to 2020.
As the Premier said in his message and opening remarks in the Plan:
“As residents, we know our province is a special place, unlike any
other. Similarly, we recognize that the opportunities and challenges we
face are unique to Newfoundland and Labrador. This plan is designed
to address the challenges and make the most of our competitive
advantage in the global tourism marketplace - the fact that we offer
unique travel experiences to visitors interested in taking an exciting
adventure off the beaten track.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, surprises wait around every corner and
the possibilities are endless - hiking the stunning coastlines, attending
festivals celebrating everything from blueberries to squid, experiencing
our rich and vibrant culture and heritage, witnessing natural wonders
such as whales and icebergs, and meeting strangers who quickly
become friends. Living here, it is sometimes easy to lose sight of the
fact that these are, indeed, “uncommon” experiences.”
I would also like to refer to another couple of paragraphs noted in the Plan
under the heading of Transportation Strategy to Grow Our Industry:
“For Newfoundland and Labrador, there’s no such thing as an
accidental tourist. It takes deliberate planning and determined effort to
visit here.
The transportation issues facing tourism in Newfoundland and Labrador
are well understood and frequently articulated among industry
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stakeholders. In short, travel to, from, and around the province,
whether by sea, air, or road is constrained by issues of affordability,
capacity, infrastructure, and quality.
To compete effectively in an increasingly aggressive global market, we
need the ability to bring travellers to the province in an easy, costeffective,
and pleasurable manner - by sea, by air, and by land. There is
an immediate requirement for improved, affordable, and efficient access
to and within the province. It’s the most critical element to stimulate
inbound tourism. And it will have considerable influence on our
industry over the next decade.
Access by Air. Air passenger travel accounts for approximately twothirds
of non-resident visits each year. Our response to strategic
transport challenges identified in the Government of Newfoundland and
Labrador’s ‘Air Access Strategy’ and through other forums is vital to
the future success of our industry.”
We will work with the Provincial Government, Hospitality Newfoundland
and Labrador, and all of the stakeholders in promoting Humber Valley Resort
and our beautiful province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The total annual budget being spend by the Provincial Government for
tourism marketing is now 13 Million (from 6 Million in 2003). The tourism
industry contributed almost 850 Million to the provincial economy in 2008,
up from 790 million in 2007.
The Provincial Government is very committed and is doing an excellent job
in marketing Newfoundland and Labrador nationally and internationally. The
Provincial Government’s campaign continues to fulfill their main objective -
promoting Newfoundland and Labrador as a Destination of Choice. As
recently as February 1 of this year in New York City, Newfoundland and
Labrador’s “Find Yourself Home” television campaign which was developed
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in collaboration with Target Marketing and Communications Inc., was
awarded platinum honours at the Adrean Awards Gala. (I would further note
that only 20 platinum winners were named from more than 1,100 entrants
during the award ceremony.
Humber Valley Resort, the chalet owners, Humber Valley and Western
Newfoundland will all benefit as a result of the tourism marketing on the part
of the Provincial Government. We all have to play our role. We are all
ambassadors on behalf of the Province. We want all of the public to know,
people throughout Humber Valley, the Province of Newfoundland and
Labrador, throughout Canada, the United States, Europe, nationally and
internationally, that we are open for business - the security gate is not a
barrier - the staff are there to welcome you - come visit us - play on our
international golf course - fish in our world class
Newfoundland salmon river, the Humber
River - enjoy our cuisine, interact with the local residents - stay in the
beautiful chalets on the Resort - take in the spectacular views of the Valley -
experience our culture, our ideas, our way of life - do what I did. I came here
35 years ago from London, England, for the experience, for a 3 month period,
and here I am 35 years later. I stayed for the lifestyle.
And that is our vision - “Come For The Experience, Stay For The Lifestyle”.
