Atlantis set to rise from 200-acre site in La Nation

In addition, Thériault said he has satisfied all environmental considerations; he even ensured there were no sacred Native burial sites on his property… a growing consideration in development projects.

Thériault said there was a mix of existing zoning in place including commercial, aggregate and agricultural, all of which has been turned into recreational. Because of the seasonal nature of his $20 million project – it’ll be completely closed for two months of the year - recreational zoning covers all of the planned uses.

To be located in La Nation Municipality across from Forest Park, the high-end tourist resort will contain 200 luxury RV sites, 75 seasonal chalet motor coach homes with oversized garages, 75 condo hotel units to be rented on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, and a 20,000 square-ft. conference centre. “It’s a win-win situation for La Nation,” the developer said. “They’ll collect taxes but all road maintenance and other costs will be covered by condo fees.”

In the planning stages for three years, everything for the modern fitness and recreational buff will be on hand, including facilities for skateboarding, canoes and paddle boats, a water park, indoor and outdoor pools, nature trails and a bicycle path. Adding to the ambiance will be a massage parlor, tanning beds, bowling lanes and arcade.

Thériault said he’s now discussing a partnership with La Nation, Casselman and Russell Township which would permit the indoor pool to remain open year-round as a public facility.

A driving range and Par-3 golf course in Embrun owned by Thériault’s Elicor Developments will be closed this Friday (Aug. 31) and the range moved to Atlantis. The plan is to turn the existing golf site into 25 one-acre building lots. Theriault said he may eventually install a Par-3, nine-hole course at Atlantis.

The resort will specialize in conferences, banquets, and package visits. Weekend package deals could partner with such established area events as Casselman’s L’écho d’un peuple, St. Albert Curd Festival and Ottawa’s Tulip Festival, Jazz Festival and Winterlude.

Believed to be the first project of its kind in Ontario, Thériault said the idea for Atlantis came to him when he realized that existing camping and RV facilities are becoming outdated.

Familiar with more contemporary sites in Florida, he decided to import the concept to Eastern Ontario.