The community's bid, that began in the early 1990s, to invite retirees to rent or buy its vacant housing units has been an unprecedented success, attracting over 4,000 re-locators since the program began and over 200 new retirees a year. The newcomers are active and independent and chose Elliot Lake as much for its beautiful scenery, recreational activities and the promise of new friendships, as they do for its low rents and unbeatable housing prices.
Retirement Living’s for profit arm, NorDev, invested in the community by acquiring the Algo Centre Mall, and attracted the major retail chain Zellers to anchor the mall. Recently, the Algo Centre Mall was sold to a Toronto Firm. Denison House, originally a multi-million dollar executive retreat was purchased by NorDev who are operating the distinguished 19,000 square foot, 10 room facility as a premier getaway for small group vacations, business meetings and conferences.
Business is Expanding in Elliot Lake! - Local Business Diversifies and Produces for Export Markets
Local window manufacturer, Robert Jackson, made a name for himself right across Canada when he changed the focus of his glass business in the early 1990s. By exploring non-industrial applications for glass, Prestige Glass International Inc. has introduced a product line that includes awards, trophies and sculptures that are produced for major Canadian sporting events and large corporations such as Ford Canada, Bell and Delta Hotels. In 2004, the company earned the Northern Ontario Business Award for “Company of the Year” (16 – 50 employees). New opportunities for the company are anticipated in the export and retail areas.
Provincial Pilot Projects – Cottages and ATVs
After 14 years of planning, lobbying and even a private members bill passed in the Ontario Legislature, the City of Elliot Lake was granted special permission, as a pilot project to purchase, develop, market and sell Crown waterfront land to the public to build homes and/or cottages. 10 area lakes were earmarked for over 400 cottage lots. An arms-length commission was set up by the City to market and make recommendations to the City on which lakes to develop and how to sell them. The first offering of waterfront lots went up for sale in August 2003 by tendering (bid) process. All 24 lots for sale with road and hydro access were sold within weeks. Most of the buyers were from the southern Ontario area, and have agreed to build their minimum 700 sq ft home or cottage within 3 years. That new construction, tax assessment and influx of new residents is yet another success story in the process of unprecedented economic diversification in Elliot Lake. For more information on the City's waterfront development project, which promises to continue for another 5 to 7 years check out their website at or call 1-800-475-7897.
Elliot Lake's other forward thinking pilot project is a unique ATV trails project. The city is a signature site for ATV riders from across Ontario and the Northern United States, since it enjoys easy access to Ontario's only looped, fully insured ATV trail network over 300 kilometres (186 miles) long. Both seasoned and novice riders can enjoy the multitude of terrain and trail options, all within 30 km (18 miles) of the downtown core. Carved through the extraordinary landscape of this unspoiled part of Northern Ontario, the trail system is also designed for the enjoyment of hikers, bikers, fishing enthusiasts, artists, bird watchers, and photographers. The trails were designed by connecting old logging roads, old trails and are recognized as shared trails with the local snowmobile club. Three new bridges have been built, and new connecting trails have been identified, together with a "Signature Sites" program that marks the cultural and historical significance of key viewpoints along the way. As importantly, the trails are fully insured, and environmentally friendly - buffer zones have been created and sensitive sites are off limits. This unique project has been attracting much attention, as ATVers are flocking to one of few areas where they can ride worry free.
For more information on the success of Elliot Lake's ATV trail network, see their website or call us at the Elliot Lake Welcome Centre at 1-800-661-6192.
