Jim Kolios, of Terrace Management Inc., the owner of the Lookout property in Callander, stopped by council on Tuesday to discuss his plans for the site.
The Lookout Inn was a popular destination within the region, and many folks have fond memories of gathering at the Inn for special occasions. Since closing, the building has been in a slow state of decay for nearly two decades, and now stands abandoned, rummaged through and graffitied.
SEE: Callander hotel open again after restoration
Kolios said his site plans include “A resort with a hotel, a conference centre, a golf course, and the most beautiful view.” He also mentioned the plan is to have a spa feature as well, complete with hot yoga retreats and other amenities.
Kate Bowman, with Centreline Architecture, presented some conceptual designs for the new building. She noted the building as is “Has now suffered for a number of years demolition by time.”
She shared that Kolios and his team have been working to clean and improve the site, “to ensure that unwanted access is controlled.” For years, people have been trespassing onto the property and into the building. Mayor Robb Noon noted that some went in and stole all the copper they could find.
The space is now safe to walk through, Bowman said.
Plans for the renovated Lookout Hotel and Nordic Spa include 43 hotel rooms, some of which will be suites. A spa including indoor and outdoor facilities, saunas, and year-round pools. A new golf clubhouse is also on the drawing board.
Kolios emphasized there will not be a restaurant on site, although he may include a spot to grab a beer or cappuccino.
Currently, Terrace Management Inc. is working with the municipality on building permits, and to create a site plan control agreement for servicing, fire access and storm water grading.
The plans for the revival of the Lookout property have been well-received by Callander’s council. Mayor Noon said, “It’s very exciting news, it would be quite a draw for the municipality.”
Noon recalled, “The Lookout Inn was a staple of Callander, it was the place to go for everything. So it will be nice to see it back in a different form.”
“If everything goes through, which I’m obviously hoping it will, it will definitely be a draw to the community, as nobody around here has anything like that.”
Kolios said, “It all goes well, I’d like to have it open for Christmas.” And if that doesn’t work, he added, he’d like to see it open by January of 2026.
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
