oct-2017

46 47 engineering consulting firm inTexas,but I used to own a hotel inTerrace,BC in 1993-94,and ran a family operation of gas stations for three to four years.Then I moved toTexas,found a job as an engineer,and worked for two decades in the engineering profession. I always wanted to come back to Canada to get into the hospitalitybusiness.” The resort opportunitycame at a fortuitous time. Sonnyadmits,“I didn’t want a full-time commitment, that’s what I like about Dundee.It’s a seasonal business, so I get time off to travel and pursue other activities. The previous owner ran this place for 25 years-that’s a long time.Ups and downs after the 2009 recession forced him to sell because sales went down and he couldn’t keep upwith themaintenance,renovations, and overhead expenses.” MacAulayowned close to 500 acres,and sold 350 to a companycalledMotherNature that isbuildingsingle familyhomesaroundthegolf course.Theowners,two gentlemenfromtheHalifaxarea,alsoplanoncreating anadventurepark.Sonny’s purchase amounts to about 144 acres with some small forested areas,but most of the rest has been developed.Amenities include a full-service, 18-hole golf course; 60-room hotel; restaurant; pub; spa; indoor pool; outdoor pool; and recreation center.The 5,000-square-foot clubhouse is onlysixtosevenyearsold,andfeaturesa full kitchen, bar,pro shop,and separate locker rooms for men and DUNDEE RESORT & GOLF CLUB women. Sonnyadds,“We alsomanage 38 cottages on behalf of the previous owner; 20 are one bedroom/no kitchen, the other 18 have a kitchen and two bedrooms.These are popular with families who come here to stay for a week.There are barbecue pits; theycan sit out on the decks and enjoy their own cooking,just like at home. “We do corporate events,family reunions,weddings –and I want to encourage bus tours before the next season.Alot of themgo onHighway#105 to Cabot Trail and end up in Sydney,but we are on the other side of the lake.There is excellent highwayaccess here, no issuewith that.We’ve resurfaced the road to the property.It’smarketingwe need toworkon to bring themback.” It’s amixedmarket in terms of visitors.The Dundee parking lot showcases vehicle plates fromOntario, Quebec,central andwestern Canada,Maine,Vermont, Massachusetts,NewYork.One familydrove for five days fromTexas to stayat Dundee two nights.In late 2016,Cape Breton had a great deal of publicityafter the contentiousAmerican electionwith people look- ing to relocate to the island.Sonny says,“I’maware that one of our radio hosts had that message for U.S. people tomove to Cape Breton.But that was not the attraction for me.I did come from the States,but I only heard the hype after the fact.” The Resort is open fromMay toOctober; July to Sept 15th is the busiest time,however,Sonnyadds,“This comingweekend,in late September,we’ll have 70 to 80 percent occupancyhere for the CelticColour Festi- val.I wish I’d known about this before–next season it would bemyhonor to host one event of CelticColour.” As for opening all four seasons,Sonny says,“It’s all Welcoming you to work and live in one of Canada’s most unspoiled locations! For more info, contact: 2357 Highway 206, P.O. Box 120, Arichat, Nova Scotia B0E 1A0 (902) 226-2400 • Toll Free: 1-800-567-2600 • www.RichmondCounty.ca 09132017_RC_ad3.indd 1 9/18/2017 4:24:09 PM