Located in a natural setting, the Elk Lake Eco Centre is the ideal spot for small retreats. Whether it is a
corporate meeting or a family gathering like a wedding, the whole
stay is customized according to what is required.
The centre has 35 rooms but there are
off-site accommodation providers five minutes away that can handle
any overflow of guests.
“It's ideal for team building,”
said executive director Pamela Hamel. “It's a productive
environment with no outside distractions. If there is intense
business to take care of, it is ideal.”
As part of the retreat, guests can
enjoy a pontoon boat ride on the Montreal River, take advantage of a
variety of trails accessible in all seasons, culinary classes, guided
tours, fishing or book a massage.
The facility has a 7,000-square-foot
building that is used for conferences and meetings and includes
state-of-the-art multi-media capabilities.
There are indoor and outdoor exhibition
areas, lecture rooms and central dining areas.
“We use local food and have an
exclusive local menu,” said Hamel. “Our proximity to the
agricultural base in the region allows us to do that.”
All conference rooms and guest chalets
offer wireless high-speed Internet.
Each chalet has six bedrooms with a
double bed per room. The structures have two floors and two
bathrooms, along with an electrical fireplace and a television. Three
of the chalets have a deck overlooking the Montreal River.
“When we plan the retreats,
everything is customized,” she said. “We can also educate the
guests if required by arranging a mill tour or to bring in
facilitators to talk about topics such as sustainability.”
The eco centre uses green cleaning
products, composts, buys local and offers green educational programs.
It also showcases local wood in its construction and décor, and is
an architecturally award-winning facility.
It is in its 11th year and has a staff
of 16 to 20.
“It is beautifully decorated and has
all the amenities you might require. And our natural surroundings
can't be beat,” Hamel said.
www.elklakeeco.com