Aurora Group president Shawn Aurora has reaffirmed his company’s commitment to Haliburton County, saying he hopes to see demolition of the Wigamog Inn property completed by the end of 2024, and announcing a new $2 million investment at Pinestone Resort.
Aurora said it has been several years of reflection for the family-owned company, which primarily functions in hospitality and business management. He said, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Aurora Group has done “more conserving than spending,” meaning many notable projects, particularly at Pinestone, have taken a back seat.
“We held back to make sure there’s liquidity [to cover] simple operating costs… we’re no different from the regular public. When everybody had a shortage of cash with the economy, and when everything was technically closed with COVID, we felt that too,” Aurora said.
“Now, we see light at the end of the tunnel.”
He said several rooms at Pinestone have been renovated over the summer, while around $1.5 million is being invested to make the property “more green,” Aurora notes, which he hopes will include the installation of solar panels, likely next spring.
There are also plans to break up and fill in the outdoor pool, making way for a new courtyard space that Aurora says would be ideal for weddings. Repairs to the indoor pool are ongoing, with the facility to reopen later this year, while the golf course has also seen some investment this summer.
All-in, Aurora pegs the Pinestone investment at approximately $8 million since 2015.
“What a lot of people don’t see is the underpinnings that are being replaced. Everyone sees the façade [and thinks the property is being left to rot] but they’ll start to see changes now because we’ve done a lot of the background work,” Aurora said.
Auroras ‘committed’ to redeveloping Wig
Addressing rumours of financial issues, fueled by an incident Aug. 23 where it was thought Hydro One had turned off power at the Pinestone property, Aurora said he wanted to set the record straight.
“Nothing was cancelled, nothing was turned off – it was more of an internal misunderstanding,” Aurora said, noting he typically deals with Hydro One head office for things such as bill payments, and not regional field offices, which, he claims, take a few days to have systems updated.
Tiziana Baccega Rose, spokesperson for Hydro One, said she could not comment on customer accounts, though noted service suspension is always a last resort.
Aurora said he had no concern about Aurora Group’s ability to pay its bills moving forward. “That’s why we conserved our liquidity over COVID, for these exact things,” he said,
MECP investigates
A near year-long Ministry of Conservation, Environment, and Parks (MECP) investigation into the demolition of the Wigamog Inn has concluded. The provincial entity has informed Aurora Group it must meet requirements outlined under the Environmental Protection Act for waste audits, waste reduction, and source separation of waste materials before work can continue. Demolition has been paused since June 2023. Shannon Simpkins, an MECP environmental officer, said Aurora Group is also obligated to meet certain requirements under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
In a follow-up email to The Highlander, MECP spokesperson Gary Wheeler confirmed no charges had been laid as of press time. He said the ministry was still waiting for waste audit and species at-risk screening reports from Aurora Group.
“To date, some of the waste has been transferred to a ministry-approved waste facility, however more debris remains on-site,” Wheeler said. “Under the ESA, the owners are responsible for submitting a preliminary report to the ministry to determine whether or not they require a permit, should demolition plans continue.”
Wheeler said species at-risk that may be located in the area include the chimney swift, eastern whip-poor-will, Blanding’s turtle, bats, and eastern hog-nosed snake, though none are confirmed.
Aurora said an SAR environmental study was completed by consultant Pinchin and delivered to the MECP on July 2. He said Aurora Group is waiting for “the green light” from the ministry to resume work.
“Our contractors are on standby to complete the remaining demolition,” Aurora said. “Hopefully we get it done this year.”
One potential hold-up, he said, will be figuring out hauling leftover debris out of Haliburton County. He said a chunk of the materials will be recycled, with waste likely going to landfills in Toronto and Barrie.
At the Wig
Aurora said his team remains committed to redeveloping the Wigamog site. Shortly after purchasing the property in 2016, Aurora Group posted plans to its website for a new residential subdivision featuring 180-units, including condos, townhouses, and detached homes.
Speaking this week, Aurora said he believes the site could accommodate up to 500 units.
“The number one thing we hear from staff at Pinestone is there’s no housing. Everybody wants nice, decent housing that’s affordable and near to all outlets. This would, in my opinion, serve the community’s [best interests],” Aurora said.
Asked what other projects Aurora Group had completed in other communities, to show they’re capable of pulling off a project of that magnitude, Aurora said he’s currently working on converting a hotel in Barrie, and that his group has opened two Starbucks franchises in Ontario. He also pointed to the construction of a gas station in Guelph.
