HVR History - Hockley Valley Resort

 On October 5, 1985 the Nancy and Mario Adamo paid more than $1 million dollars to purchase the building and property (now known as Hockley Valley Resort), located 45 minutes north of Toronto. The land was beautiful and close to Toronto, but the facilities were a shambles. The existing 28-­‐
room hotel had been poorly maintained for years, an adjacent 10,000 sq.ft. building looked like an unfinished airplane hanger; a small outdoor swimming pool was in disrepair and the ski hill was serviced by only T-­‐bars and a Rope Tow. The property had been through multiple bankruptcies prior to the Adamo purchase. The Adamo’s first decision was to operate the ski hill over the winter and sample, first hand, public attitudes towards the resort. There was no time to fix up the existing hotel so the only income was the skiing, equipment rentals and a cafeteria. Once the ski season was over, the resort was shut down and a feasibility study was undertaken to decide the potential for a quality resort close to Toronto. That would then determine the scope and development of such a plan. Phase 1 involved a complete overhaul of the existing facilities. When construction was completed, all that was left of the original structures was the foundations and outside walls. The 28-­‐room hotel was completely renovated, the “airplane hanger” was converted into a Conference Centre with a spectacular ballroom and the skiing facilities were upgraded with the addition of a Quad Chair Lift, lights and snowmaking equipment. The completion of Phase 2 of the development program dramatically changed the situation. With the opening of the championship golf course, the opening of 76 Deluxe Resort Suites in the Tower wing, the addition of the Ciao Bistro, Spike Patio & Bar and the remainder of the indoor recreational facilities, the property had been fully converted into a luxurious four season conference and resort destination. This laid the foundation for the Hockley Valley Resort we know today. In 1989, the Resort opened its Championship 18 hole golf course designed by renowned architect Thomas McBroom. In 2000, the Adamo’s purchased the adjacent property of 77 acres, where the current vineyard and future winery is to be situated. In 2001, to the tune of $4.5 million, the Montclair Ballroom was renovated into a stunning venue and the launch of the 8,000 sq.ft. Spa was finally realized including 16 treatment rooms, and two lounges (ladies and co-­‐ed. Constantly upgrading and reinvesting in the property, in 2003/2004, an additional Quad Chair Lift was installed on the ski hill to accommodate the increasing traffic of ski and snowboard guests. Between 2009 and 2011, Hockley Valley Resort unveiled a major, $6+ million transformation that celebrates traditional Old World elegance and a homegrown philosophy. This latest transformation coincided with the 25th anniversary of the Adamo family’s purchase of the 300-­‐
acre property. The renovation included the revitalization of the parking lot, new landscaping, a renovated lobby, Babbo Wine Bar, wine cellar, and the launching of Restaurant 85. In addition, the resort constructed and opened a 2,600 sq.ft. open concept restaurant, aptly named ‘cabin’ after the first building on the property. A full time gardener takes care of the four-­‐acre fruit and vegetable garden that supplies 80 percent of the produce for the resort’s restaurants. True to the Resort’s culinary philosophy and sustainability, it supports local farmers, producers and artisans utilizing their product in the restaurants. In 2012 the resort added a six acre vineyard, an outdoor kitchen with a wood fired oven that hosts Pizza in the Garden during the summer months, and expanded the fruit and vegetable garden. Nancy Adamo’s business accolades and contribution to Canadian society has been recognized throughout her career. In 1998, she was given the Leading Woman Entrepreneur of the World Award, and has been listed in the top 25 Profit W100 list of Canada’s Top Women Entrepreneurs six times. In 2005, she received the Butler Award by the Ontario Accommodation Association for her contribution to Ontario’s accommodation industry. Her leadership skills and insight have also been recognized outside of the business community and the hospitality industry. In 1994, she was asked to contribute to a Federal Government initiative to gather input from successful small and medium enterprises to ensure continued small business growth. The resulting report, “Breaking Through Barriers: Forging our Future,” was used by the Federal Government as a guiding force in their development of small business policy in Canada. That same year she was one of 16 Ontario business and community experts appointed to the Ontario Jobs and Investment Board by Premier Mike Harris. Nancy Adamo has served two three-­‐year terms as member of the Humber College Board of Governors (1999-­‐2002 and 2002-­‐2005). More recently, she was listed in the 2007 Top 100 list of Canada’s Most Powerful Women by Women’s Executive Network (Entrepreneur Category). Not to be overlooked, Hockley Valley Resort is committed to implementing "green" initiatives that assist in reducing our carbon footprint. The attached document identifies the Resort’s commitment to environmental responsibility and it’s efforts to become the ‘Greenest’ Resort in the Province of Ontario. Hockley Valley Resort is a year-­‐round resort destination located in the Hills of Headwaters, in the heart of some of Ontario’s most picturesque countryside. The Resort features 104 luxury rooms and suites, 14 meeting rooms and an 8,000 sq.ft. full-­‐service spa. The resort is home to a championship 18-­‐hole, golf course designed by renowned Canadian golf course architect Thomas McBroom, as well as 15 scenic ski and snowboard runs for all levels, including an upper and lower freestyle terrain park. Since it opened, Hockley Valley has employed more than 1,500 people. Today, staff at the resort number more than 300. 1986 2013