Coppertree Highlands Cottage Resort owners Kay and Ian Rogers moved in the day of this spring’s ice storm.
Kay said they wanted to close on the former Oasis property at the end of March, thinking the snow would be gone, and there would be plenty of time to get ready for summer.
“We came and there was still three feet of snow on the ground; and then the rain came,” Kay recalled.
They had two “giant’ trucks and a bunch of friends helping them move. They quickly shoved everything away to avoid rain damage.
“We got up in the morning and this entire place was just solid ice. It was ridiculous” Kay said. Ian added, “everybody had to walk in pairs, just in case.”
However, they were blessed that the property did not sustain much damage and power was only out for a couple of hours.
At the time, Ian thought, “if we can get through this, we should be okay.”
The Rogers were living in Thorndale, just outside of London and were real estate appraisers. They also had an off-grid cabin they loved near Parry Sound.
Kay said southwestern Ontario “was just getting so busy” and Ian added the drive to the cottage was four hours on 400-series highways. They wanted to find something closer.
Initially, they looked in the Parry Sound area but could not close a deal there.
Kay jokes, “so we don’t know where the resort part came into it, perhaps a bottle of wine had something to do with it, we’re not quite sure, but the next thing you know, we’re shopping for a resort.”
They came across a listing for the former Oasis at 1190 North Shore Rd. in Algonquin Highlands.
It was August 2024 when they visited for the first time. They returned in October, at the height of the fall colours, and that was it.
Kay says, “we really like this place” and Ian adds, “this is perfect for us. It’s a really nice spot because we’re in this little bay. It doesn’t get super busy.”
Kay said the other reason they were attracted to a resort is she used to have a company called Murder for Hire. It took a dinner theatre on the road. She had a lot of actors working for the company and she and Ian hosted a lot of events for actors and their families, things like camping trips and backyard barbecues.
Enjoy hosting
“Once I sold it, we really missed the hosting, because we enjoyed it. We enjoy making sure people have what they need and that kind of thing,” Kay said.
The resort has eight cabins, all named and themed, ranging from a studio to three-bedroom. The couple said they were in pretty good shape. They do want to fix up the office and get a septic and washrooms installed in the recreation hall.
With the cabins being winterized, they also plan to be year-round and capitalize on the nearby snowmobile trail.
And, then, there’s the fall colours. When they came last October, they hiked the James Cooper Lookout and saw a valley full of copper-coloured trees. That, as well as the copper in their off-grid cabin, inspired the name.
So far, the summer is going well. Because Oasis did not rent publicly, they did not have a clientele per se. However, they have a website, and have had referrals from other accommodators who are booked up.
Kay said, “we really enjoy it when the place is full. We love watching the kids down there playing on the beach and in the water and using the toys.”
Ian adds, “when it’s a slow week, we get a little down, then the kids come and we remember why we’re doing this.”
They feel word is getting out. People have called in, looking for overflow when family visits, or are staying elsewhere, but interested in renting at Coppertree. Ian notes people with a history on the land also drop by.
The two have not hired summer help, so are busy – probably busier than when they were self-employed or employed by somebody else.
As for the long-term plan, Kay said they’ll keep it as long as they’re able.
Ian adds, “we can’t see moving into a condo and just going down to the common room and playing cards, yet. We’ve seen so many people just retire and sit.” Kay adds, “we’re pretty hands on and handy … I can’t imagine just retiring and not having something to do.
For more, go to https://coppertreeresort.com
