[Smevo]

Today's CBPost

Last updated at 12:38 PM on 21/02/07

Resort developers plan to market island worldwide print this article


The Cape Breton Post

By Wes Stewart

Cape Breton Post



LOUISBOURG — The developers of the $300-million Louisbourg Resort Golf and Spa are marketing Cape Breton attractions as selling features for their development.

Christian Reinisch, managing director, Cape Breton Islands Developers Inc., said Tuesday the luxury resort is just one integral part in their marketing strategy.

The 18-hole, Nick Faldo-designed golf course, The Fortress, will draw buyers to the resort, but the golfing experience of the Highland Links or Dundee courses, the Cabot Trail, Fortress Louisbourg and the Highlands National Park will help sell Cape Breton as a destination, he added.

“That’s the important thing because there are so many things to do and see, we need to promote the whole island, not just our resort.”

The company announced in September it had purchased 1,000 hectares of land around Grand Lake and will build up to 800 luxury homes, two golf courses and a European-style spa.

Partner Henric Bauermeister said they originally planned a spring 2007 announcement of the development, but keen interest encouraged them to move ahead earlier.

Four luxury homes are already under construction, roads are being built and the company is talking to engineers about municipal water and sewer to the site.

They are waiting for a break in the cold weather to resume construction.

Reinisch said he has had huge local interest in the resort relative to future jobs.

“There are quite a few interested in the style of homes we are building and potentially purchasing there.”

The company is preparing a marketing strategy for the spring and already 24 homes have been sold. The homes range in price up to $1 million.

“Our strategy is to get a few more sales and, to reach our goals for the year, we will have 40-50 homes under construction.”

They want to have 12 at least ready by late summer, “so people can see it, can touch it and feel it,” said Henrich Bauermeister.

Construction of the golf course will start this summer and completion is expected in two years.

“We will have around 400 homes built between 2007 and 2011, a conference centre, restaurants, certainly a clubhouse for the golf courses, recreation facilities, a beach house and an international spa,” Bauermeister said.

Reinisch described the spa as more of a “well-being centre” with a pool, saunas, fitness centre in more of the European-style, that would draw an international clientele.