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Ross Kirwin was very happy to introduce our speaker Jesse Hamilton. He opened with a statement that has been often expressed "As Deerhurst goes, so goes Huntsville!" Acknowledging that Jesse has been at the Deerhurst helm since 2016, he told us that Jesse actually grew up in Muskoka, moving to Gravenhurst at the age of 5. He has spent his career in the hospitality industry with a stint at Clevelands House from 2009-2014. Ross admitted that he also worked at Clevelands from 1965-72 and also at Deerhurst and commented on the 'small world' we live in. He moved to Collingwood for a few years then returned to Muskoka. Jesse taught at Georgian College for 5 years Jesse, after hearing Ross's intro, said he now realized why there was so many 'Kirwin Rules' and 'Kirwin's The King' messages carved into picnic tables, trees and anything carvable on the Cleveland's property! He proceeded with some kind comments about Rotary and the important role they play in the community. In fact in earlier years Jesse was a member of the South Georgian Bay Rotary Club and someday will likely return to the organization. Since it's been over 3 years that Jesse addressed the club he caught us up on his situation. In addition to running the resort he has become the Chair of the Ontario Hotel/Motel Association and also a Board member of Destination Ontario. He is also Chair of the local Municipal Accommodation Tax committee, whose role it is to invest up to 70% of the accommodation tax proceeds in initiatives to bring 'heads in beds' to Huntsville. Jesse went on to talk about the challenges that Covid had placed on the Resort but at it's inception in March and through the current day. On a positive note Jesse acknowledged that we are lucky to be living in an area that people want to come to, in some cases even more so in this pandemic as a getaway. He noted that despite the resort applying a 75% maximum occupancy limit to allow management of guests during the pandemic the resort experienced a 74% occupancy over July and August, equal or better than the occupancy % in 2019. Provincial occupancy rates were in the 43% range. Heading into 2020 there was expectations of a record year, building on the record years experience in 2017-19. The resort had been changing their focus to attract associations and larger groups while at the same time focusing on family units, knowing that business people would bring their families back for personal vacations and family vacations would lead to executives deciding to bring their company business to the resort. At the start of 2020 they had more groups lined up than in all of 2019. They had collected over $4MM in deposits and when all of this business cancelled it is to Deerhurst's credit that 2/3rds of the groups rebooked for later dayes and allowed the resort to keep the deposits. One of Jesse's hardest times was in closing the resort in March, turning away business and laying off employees. The small leadership team worked very hard to manage the resort and as government support programs came in to play they rehired as many as they could. He commented on the fantastic attitude of his team and the fact that when offered a return to work, the majority number of employees jumped at the chance. Food and beverage has been the most challenging with 20% of guests having a meal at the resort during their stay as compared to an average of 65% in pre Covid times. Some areas of the resort have still not opened and many are being managed differently. The back nine at Lakeside was turned into a park like area accessible to guests for hiking, frisbee golf, exercise zones and quiet space. Unfortunately the Highlands golf course ran into serious winter kill on their greens and had a delayed opening, but then proceeded to put through more golfers than they had in 2019. Looking ahead the resort has created a future skating rink just outside Maple Restaurant which will have chairs and firepits and they are looking to expand their starlight snowshoe trails. They have taken a coupe of larger rooms and turned into social rooms with big screen tvs, ping pong tables that can be used by families for 45 minute periods. As well they are managing the pool to comply with Covid and reworking take out food options In addition to an overview of the MAT group and their support for tourism driving groups like dance groups and hockey teams Jesse informed that they are working with the Chamber and BIA to create a winter lighting experience, similar to Collingwood. They have contacted an Artistic Director from Cirque De Soleil to help them create something. The investment could be in the hundreds of thousands but it would be to purchase equipment that would allow for ongoing years use. Responding to questions Jesse updated us on the newer Lakeside Lodge development, with currently only 2 of 140 condos still for sale. 95 of those units are in the rental program which allows the resort to pursue larger groups. The plans to develop the 'horse stables' property is progressing but has been drastically redesigned and downsized to be a better fit for the area. Rather than compete with the Town it would be an enhancement to the overall property. Tim acknowledged what a good corporate citizen Deerhurst has been and thanked him for having his two daughters work there over the years and develop great work habits. Rob then thanked Jess, acknowledging the Resort's generosity in supporting our club, and for updating us tonight.
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