About the Nottawasaga Resort
Believe it or not, it all started with a dream and a bet, and for 50 years the Nottawasaga Resort has continued to grow and expand based on that very dream. Over the years we have enjoyed a rich and vibrant history that can be felt and seen throughout the entire resort and indeed shared throughout the community. We continue to welcome travellers with the same enthusiasm and spirit as the first day we opened the doors to welcome guests.
1959: Lou Biffis purchased land originally used to produce the first nursery-grown sod in Ontario. It is here he dreamed of building a resort that would take advantage of the river location and the beautiful rolling hills of the Nottawasaga Valley.
1965:
Lou spent many long hours draining the marshy area to form parkland and then built a 120 ft. long, 4 ft wide bridge supported by cables over the Nottawasaga River.
After the bridge was completed and named, a very good friend, impressed by what he had seen, bet Lou one bottle of Canadian Club whiskey that he could not obtain a liquor license in the former Township of Tecumseth, which had been dry since 1907.
1967: Not one to easily lose a bet, Lou went to work on a petition for a liquor plebiscite. In six months, he had sufficient names to make the plebiscite valid. In November 1967, with 47.7% of the eligible voters casting ballots, the plebiscite was won with 81.5% in favour. Within weeks, construction was underway.
1968: The Nottawasaga Inn opened to the public with forty guestrooms, a dining room, coffee shop and one banquet room after only 8 months of construction.
1977: The international sized soccer field was added to the recreational line-up.
1985: Lou Biffis has continued to expand, refurbish and develop the Nottawasaga Inn. Construction on the award-winning adult lifestyle community of Green Briar begins, adding 497 homes to the community by 1998.
1986: The first 18 holes of the golf course are added to the Nottawasaga property.
1987: The first major expansion takes place at the hotel increasing the number of guestrooms and suites to 164. A new entry and reception atrium are added as well as a fine dining restaurant and a lounge. The banquet and convention facilities are also expanded adding additional ballrooms and meeting rooms bringing the total meeting space to 33 rooms.
1992: The golf course receives an additional expansion adding 9 new holes, bringing the Nottawasaga Course to 27 holes of golf.
1993: A regulation sized soccer field was added to the recreational line-up in preparation for the arrival of the World Cup German soccer team.
1994: The 70,000 sq. ft. Sports & LeisureDome is built adding a spectacular line-up of recreation opportunities for guests. The Sports & LeisureDome features a 25 metre tropical pool, 100 ft waterslide, a 3,000 sq. ft. health & fitness centre, indoor Jungle Quest mini-golf adventure, 3 indoor tennis courts, squash and racquetball courts, games room and a Trade Centre.
1997: Construction on Briar Hill, a second adult lifestyle community begins.
1998: The Ridge Course opens adding an additional 9 holes of golf to the resort. Expansion at the hotel takes place with the addition of 27 deluxe suites with added features and amenities.
1999: Hotel expansion takes place again adding 78 deluxe guestrooms. The resort now offers a total of 269 guestrooms and suites.
2000: The Ridge Course is expanded to add an additional 9 holes of golf and a second Pro Shop. The resort is now the only resort in Ontario surrounded by 45 regulation holes of golf and is awarded one of the Top 25 Golf Resorts in Canada and Best Family Golf Resort in Ontario!
2002: The Inn Café is remodelled. Expansion takes place again adding 4000 sq. ft. to the hotel, including four new meeting rooms.
2006: The Centre Ice Sportsplex area is opened after an unprecedented five months of construction. The arena features an NHL-size ice surface and is equipped with the necessary infrastructure to accommodate future expansion of an additional ice pad.
2007: Realizing the demand for ice time, the second Ice Pad is constructed and opened. The Nottawasaga Resort is now the only resort in Canada to have an onsite arena with two NHL-sized ice surfaces.
2010: Renovations to guestrooms are completed. The renovated rooms feature a fresh new look suiting a range of needs from business and leisure travellers to sports teams and enthusiasts looking for a place to both stay and play.
2012: Extensive renovations to the lobby are completed. The renovated lobby features an open, bright and contemporary design complemented by elegant custom design features. Highlights of the newly revitalized space include additional seating space which is surrounded by natural stone walls and flooring, a unique feature wall with a canoe paddle design to tie into the natural surrounding of the Nottawasaga River, as well as a redesign of a larger and more inviting fireplace area. The popular gift shop was redesigned into a smaller and more elegant space to accommodate a new adjacent business centre and luggage cart storage.
2013: National sized soccer pitch is expanded to be international size.
2014: In early 2014 the Riverview Room reopened after undergoing an extensive renovation. The transformed space was designed to enhance the beautiful scenery of the surrounding Nottawasaga Valley resulting in an organic and contemporary fusion of natural materials. The use of natural elements throughout the Riverview Room flawlessly integrates the hotel's new design aesthetic allowing for a seamless progression from the renovated lobby into the captivating new 200 seat restaurant. A mixture of seating options have been incorporated into the room offering a comfortable and private space for those looking to enjoy a business lunch, romantic date, or celebrate a special occasion.
Change is constant and we continue to evolve and make improvements daily. Many of our changes are with thanks to our valued guests. Through guest comments, feedback and suggestions, we have been able to improve upon the facilities and services we offer to ensure that those visiting us enjoy a truly spectacular getaway experience. We encourage you to stop by the Front Desk to speak with us or simply fill out our guest comment card and let us know how you feel, because after all, our success can be measured only by you.
The Nottawasaga Inn Resort is a family owned and operated resort that takes pride in its high standards of service and hospitality. Our vision is to be a dynamic, world-class destination, committed to service excellence and continuous improvement creating a quality experience for everyone.
We truly hope that your visit to the Nottawasaga Resort leaves you with a lasting and memorable impression.
