Horseshoe Resort in Ontario- Owners threatened with possible resort closure

[rikkis_playpen Diamond Club Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close rikkis_playpen]

Timeshare owners feeling sqeezed - Midland Free Press - Ontario, CA

The articles states that 792 timeshare weeks have now been abandoned at this resort, creating a huge budget deficit.

"Since then, those who hold leases with The Lodges timeshare saw their per timeshare week maintenance fees go from $435 in 2009 to $709 in 2010, rising to $1,108 in 2011. "

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

We went here about 5-6 years ago and loved it. They were pushing there new Carriage Hills resort which IMO the rooms were nicer but had no amenities at the time while Horseshoe had a great spa that was cheaper than most plus back then the dollar was much stronger so we got a $90 spa treatment for $60. Horseshoe had 2 restaurants on site and the snow tubbing was also on site.

[gandalf252002 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gandalf252002]

Have never stayed at this resort myself, but did stay at the nearby Carriage Hills. Was hoping to stay here to see some of the extra amenities it has on a BG Hot Weeks so hope it doesn't but can't see how it wouldn't.

So how did these unit's get "abandoned"? Did nobody pair their maintenance fees? Guess I do not understand how that many people could just default on their obligations. The article says the have decided not to use their weeks, but would the maintenance fees not still be due?

Timeshare owners feeling sqeezed - Midland Free Press - Ontario, CA

The articles states that 792 timeshare weeks have now been abandoned at this resort, creating a huge budget deficit.

"Since then, those who hold leases with The Lodges timeshare saw their per timeshare week maintenance fees go from $435 in 2009 to $709 in 2010, rising to $1,108 in 2011. "

[djyamyam Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close djyamyam]

The resort accepts deedbacks. I have a colleague who owns 4 units here. In talking with the office, he was allowed to deedback 2 units (which he did at the start of the year). Based on the most recent information provided by the resort, he is now going to deedback his additional two and not own at all.

The sentiment that he got is as noted in the article that the resort owner wants to push out the owners so they can use the facilities as part of a larger plan. Considering that deedbacks are allowed, it's an easy way to get cheap inventory and get whole unit access for the owner.

[gandalf252002 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gandalf252002]

I see, guess it was a question of get what you can from your current tennants to do the work you want, and start all over. Sounds like that is what they are doing. I can not see any other use for a facility this big myself. Unless they plan on using Carriage Ridge / Hills for accommodations and doing something else with this resort.

The resort accepts deedbacks. I have a colleague who owns 4 units here. In talking with the office, he was allowed to deedback 2 units (which he did at the start of the year). Based on the most recent information provided by the resort, he is now going to deedback his additional two and not own at all.

The sentiment that he got is as noted in the article that the resort owner wants to push out the owners so they can use the facilities as part of a larger plan. Considering that deedbacks are allowed, it's an easy way to get cheap inventory and get whole unit access for the owner.

[Maple_Leaf Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Maple_Leaf]

A little more information

Check out this blog for the ongoing saga that is Horseshoe Resort. It explains the developer's plans, owner trials and tribulations, etc.

It sounds like the Birchcliff Villas at Deerhurst Resort may get sucked into the developer's plans as well. Oh well, as Julius Caesar said, "I came. I saw. I conquered."

[Ryne08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryne08]

Deed back is a win - win for the developer in my opinion.

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

This is a classic example of why I would never, never own at a resort which is developer controlled. I only own at member-controlled resorts.

A few years ago, the developer at one of the Cable Beach resorts at Nassua, Bahamas tried to push the timeshare owners out to use the property for something else, and the owners banded together, sued him in the Bahamian courts and won.

[gandalf252002 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gandalf252002]

Looks like the resort has found some way to make up for the loss of maintenance fees. They are going to become an amusement park!

They have taken to selling day passes to use the resorts amenities such as OGO'ing, Tree-Trecking, and Zip-Linging (used to be called Zorb'ing but there must have been a trademark infringement). Sales have been extremely high with over 400 on one group buying site, and another 1500 on Groupon. You should read some of the comments!

Oddly enough, if you do check out Groupon they are listed under Toronto and not Barrie which they are actually closer to.