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Times Advocate, 1993-06-02, Page 25• • • • • • 000 • • • • • F • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • t • , • • a e • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • e • • • • • • • Alkairr VirlIEWIGIOZWE Count on .fine firms for quality, value To advertise vaur business inti 235-1331 Times -Advocate, June 2,1993 White element? Page 25 - Condo project never to be fully completed GRAND BEND - As it sits al the end of Grand Bend's Main Street, almost no visitor to the communby leaves without some impression of one of the most controversial pro- jects in the village's history. The Beachplace Condominium building stands as a less than half -completed structure, seven storeys tall, mostly vacant, and with tilde chance of ever achieving the glory planned for k by its architects. Beachplace was conceived by London developer James I•Ievey, who sold the entire project, com- plete with all planning approvals, to Festival Developments, also of London, for construction. As the economy sagged and interest in condos waned, the builders held off on starting the second side of the V-shaped structure, completing only 34 of 74 planned units. Eventually, after running out of money, the project went under re- ceivership and the few people who 1 hold deposits on the luxury units, including two who live there, have still to see the building registered as a condominium development. Rick Jackson at Peat Marwick Thorne in London, who is handling the receivership, explained that his accounting firm has received court approval w finish off the part of the building which is standing and re- move the foundation of the unfin- ished wing. He said he expects to be able to put the first of the units back on the real estate market 4y later this month, but at lower pllices than pre- viously advertised. Jackson said the prices reflect the reality of the current market, plus the fact the building will no .longer be getting the underground parking first pro- posed. Jackson attributed the Beachplace project's troubles solely to the eco- nomic slump. The South West tilde. of the Beachplace Condominium building is the 'building's best view, even though some find it's appearance. jarring on Grand Bend's beach. However, the other side of the structure reveals the project is onlyhaff completed. Plans.are underway to remove .the unbuilt foundation and clean up the property. "1 would say the economy is the whole problem," said Jackson. "There's no market there right now." Despite that, he said the new pric- es on the units, which had previous- ly ranged from $129,000 to 5349,000, would be attractive. "We've had a lot of interest," said Jackson, adding that the removal of the unused foundation will make the building more pleasing. "You'll see a lot of changes along there this summer," he said. As for the current tenants and holders of deposits on units sold at the older prices, Jackson said it will be up to them to make a claim with the Ontario Home Warranty Pro- gram. Doug Russell, the Grand Bend re- altor who was involved in selling some of the units before the receiv- ership, said be has some grave doubts about the;building's viability as luxury condominiums. He pre- dicted low selling prices might at- tract ownlws interested in renting them out - which was not part of the original concept. Russell .also said village council should not have allowed the con- struction of just one phase. The half -completed building was not encouraging to prospective buyers. "I honestly believe if:thatfar side was built, it would have sold in no time," said Russell. "It'll never be finished. It'll never be what it was supposed lobe and I think what it will be is a white ele- phant," he said. Bruce Woodley, the forma reeve of Grand Bend who watched the project take shape in the council chambers since it was first pro- posed, said he never really ap- proved of seeing such a large build- ing constructed on the village's main beach. Even though the developer's pro- posal looked beautiful at the public meetings, Woodley said it just didn't belong in the village. "From day one, I've never been in favour of this project," said Wood- ley. "I never thought it should have gone ahead. I don't think it's in keeping with what Grand Bend is all about." Woodley said Grand Bend is all about the warmth of small cottages on village streets. The Beach - place's "Miami Beach" colour scheme was at odds with that, he said; but noted he eventually de- clared a conflict of interest over the project because he owned a cottage in the area and removed himself from negotiations with the develop- ers. The building's colour scheme has also drawn some public criticism for not living up to its brochure promises. In fact, the three layer of colour are meant to duplicate Grand Bend's beach, lake, and sky. But Woodley said whatever com- plaints may be raised about the building's appearance now, few have any right to complain because there was no interest in the public meetings held when the proposal first surfaced. "People had an opportunity to ob- ject," said Woodley. "I don't think anyone has a right to object now." Even so, Woodley said while he doesn't want to be too critical of how the current council is handing the problem of the building, he does not wish to see it remain as only half a building forever. Coun- cil could conceivably block condo- minium registration on the 34 units. "Why they would allow a plan of condominium to go on a half fm- ished building is beyond me," he said. . In fact, notes Woodley, a third phase of the building proposed a commercial plaza to be extended from the building towards Main Street. That part never even saw a foundation, and may remain as a , p ulic parking lot for the foresees- bie future. Riverview residents donate EXETER - The Exeter and Area Fire Department got another finan- cial boost for the emergency trailer developed and built by the fire- fighters. The Riverview Estates Residents Association have donated another $200 towards the trailer, which cost over $2,000 to build. The trailer is to be used for extreme emergency situations, like multiple car acci- dents, and can be towed to any- where in the county if needed. The department took the trailer to the Riverview Estates Community Centre on May 20 for a full demon- stration of its capabilities to more than 40 residents. Association president Jack Brotzel said the do- nation came from the residents' ac- tivity fund, which from time to time is applied to specific commu- nity betterment projects. • 6 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • e • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • t • • H.D. Cont. • Boarding • Taping • Texture Ceilings No job too small Serving Exeter and Area tor over 10 years Harold Ron 235.0941 235-3444 1 ELECTRICIAN DRYWALL PERRY'S DRYWALL Apply Finish & Texture PERRY KNEE CENTRALIA For Free estimates 228-6837 ELECTRICIAN Triebner Electric Ltd. Call 235-1756 anytime Electrical Contracting * water lines * drain tile * under -ground wiring MASONRY D. C. MASONRY Bricks & /Nocks Houses & Additions Chimneys & BBO's. Hreplaces, Porging & Re -pointing. /Nock Foundations. Free Estimates Phone 2294820 anVlime Dave Crocker MASONRY STONETOWN MASON- RY AND CONCH( It Lail for a Free Lc timate Dan Nein 229-6y05 PLUMBING [ PLUMBING & NFmitac. Bob Case Plumbing and Electric Plumbing and electrical repairs Commercial, farm, naw homes Grand Bend & Area 238.8193 Jack's Plumbing & Heating (Exeter) Inc. Jatk Mauer 235-0581 l DRAFTING v 0g-4 PLANS FOR: --New Homes '4'iRenovations 0 --Additions c.,' ,�,0 -.-Fireplaces P --Decks, Patios 0Q --.-Garyes, Etc. SINCE 1988 235-3b33 ELECTRIC MOTORS ELECTRIC MOTORS Rewinding, Repairs, Sales & Service NESBIT ELECTRIC LTD. ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR POLE UNE CONSTRUCTION BUCKET TRUCK SERVICE Phone 229.8222 Mitten PAINTING AND I P/yltpJ�tlint1G AND ll P1tPJrBlNta _ DAVE'S DECOR Exterior • Painting interior - Pointing PaparingH, Textured Ceilings Ron & Dave Heim - rich Zurich, Ont. 23641 or 235-0452 111*:1•SUPAYURTIfY LU1014, & DAVE PASSMORE PLUMBING & HEATING RR 1 Woodham 235-2708 SIGN PAINTER 1 I STEEL AND LUMBER Sign Painter on Wheels • Truck Lettering .• Boats, • Trailers • Stock Cars, etc. 519-234-6349 SleE- Now TEE& Used L Fluorescent Lights Fibreglass Coated Plywood Martin's SteI Vanastra (Clinton) 49 •9872 J Madeline's Wallpapering & Painting Exterior & Interior, Free estimates Phone Madeline Vier 237-3487 atter 6 p.m. POOLS (" wawa 1 MILLER'S Welding, Lathe & Fabricating R.R. 2 Dashwood • Portable Welding • Wrought ion nan,nps General Repa•, Open 6 days a week 237-3365 fJACTELICALIMEr,.41ARcAL IP ELECTRICAL / MECHANICAL Distributor for Priestap Electric (1990) Ltd. • Sales • Installation • Service • Re- pairs • Electric Motors • Generators 263-6129 263-5405 RR 2 Kippen ENTER'PRISES GRAVEL GRAVEL N.C. JONES & SONS LTD. Sand. Gravel. Topsoil * Excavation • Laneways Backfilling * Parking Lots Bus.: 235-2489 Res.: 235-2815 PAINTING GINE VIILENEUVE PAINTING • Interior a Exterior • Wallpaper Spedaizing in Victori- an home repairs • Senior Citizen dis- counts Woodham. Ontario 2294952 PAINTING �Classic Touch, Painting • & Db. -mating Commercial and res: idenliv! specialist Wallpaper i,'d vinyl [...hanging & drywall repair. Murray Heywood Prop. 235-1278 Leave message,1 RADIATOR SERVICE (Complete Radiator Service Repair, boiling-,� & recoring. For all •terr ,- makes, cars, trucks, tractors, and commercial ve Kkklon-Woodham Service Centro Kkkton 229.8952 (at Hammond Fuel Sign) (ow 15 years experience) WELL DRIL.UHO Water Well Drilling W.D. Hopper & Sons Ltd. 4 modern rotary rigs Phone Seaforth Neil 522-1737 Dural Stratford 271-7860 ELECTRICIAN DON BENDER ELECTRIC LTD. flAINIWOOD For slowaistaiosi merits MONO aorta Fom Wets Om* Generators Nes a knsl kworm 237-3575 ELECTRICIAN 1 ELECTRICIAN r �a T I14 Electric Call 235-1706 anytime • Commercial • Residential • Farm • Repairs • Installations • Renovations • Fire Alarm & Security Systems ,) HANDY MAN am .641r Quality Vilorkmanship at Reasonable Rates All minor &tits! Carpentry • Renovations • Decks • Garages • storage Shads • Additions Specializing k, Custom Cabinets and Vanities. Furniture Rsstor•tion, Repair end Refinishrngs Furnace & Gas Fireplace kistallations Oo1B ch vacation... call us about our House Check Plan! Seniors Discount, tree estimates, nes Job too small! Cell Join 22a•s3 , 4N s• amort, Ilamo harm a m.0•40•.) PAINTING M&M PAINTING Residential, Commercial Industrial, Ceramic tiling. wallpaper- ing, floor sanding Free Estimates Phone: 235-1701 Evenlnas ROOFING Campbell Roofing Co. "The Root Doctor" For Estimate SAIL 235-1799 J PAINTING DON HEYWOOD PAINTING WALLPAPERING • FLOOR SANDING 235-2914 FREE ESTIMATES SANITATION JOHNSON SANITATION SERVICE PORTABLE TOILET RENTALS Handicap Washrooms Septic tanks and holding totki pumped PN- 294.6954 Parkhill 18002653473 EltraPTRIDIAN MILLS ELECTRIC Licenced electri- cal, specializes in residential work Call Anne in Grand Bend 238-8917 HANDY MAN THE HANDY MAN commercrai, residential. renovations, repairs.MwW1ations renovaiof S.additions, 'etcs enoes, windows .,,.. r arming ' onerior, interior tree t �!'' • • 1. earamic Ole. laor Quality work atan•asrs ii•ptlo• Phone 235-1706 There is no* too small PET STORE Dog & Cat Food Pets of all kinds FI$h, Pet Supplies 363 Main St., 'x t 235-0251 L ZEita . tIOLVFre.raerg Complete photofin- ishing services Convenient, 9uality film processing & enlargements Custom framing and laminating 301 Main St. 235-3713 C ,SAW AND BLADE REPAIR BAN -WELD SAW & BLADE LTD. Sales and Service Aulhori;ed Stihl Dealer Sharpening Sorrioe and Small Engine Repair Wocd splitter for rent B:LL WILDS 153 Victoria St., Croditon, Ontario NOM -1 MO (519) 2344339 1 r WINDOWS & DOORS �`� asHwoo G� eila ANO noon ct= ► • New Construction Windows • Replacement Windows • All Glass & Mirror Work • Insulating Glass • Re -screening Repairs Sales . Service • Installation 4137 Thames Road East, Exeter stir N. 230390 J I • WINDOWS & DOORS CENTRE Installation Ex".r 2354502 a•IM•N• a 0•ay.•y • ".. con.t„".+•ordR.aao.m.n, • p.,•p. W.ndows • War loci. • SI.N wuUYd Emend. by.tan• • .n. l Nt typo• • flatfeet's/milx,Nut.Nd Maasa • pato Dots • 0o,Oots •.MAN.. • S,o'ooms WINDOWS j WINDOWS Doors s Renovations Ted Ducharme 236.4162 236-4830