Cottage country moves north.

• Author: Ross, Ian
• Position: Parry Sound

The 2001 Statistics Canada census was not kind to Parry Sound.

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This community of 6,500 experienced a three-per-cent population dip from 1996, but that dire statistic hasn't deterred some new residential and commercial developments from springing up.

Vacationers who've enjoyed the area for years are returning to scope out the place for more permanent future retirement homes. And the retail sector is joining in.

Those fond memories of summer's past at the cottage are luring southern Ontarians nearing retirement age to the North for their golden years, says Iain Laing, Parry Sound's director of community development.

Available lakefront properties in neighbouring townships are fast disappearing, but some in-town residential developments overlooking Georgian Bay offer views that are just as good as being on the water.

Laing is optimistic, but reluctant to categorize the slew of residential and commercial development proposals on the town's planning books as a bona fide building boom since the municipality hasn't received or issued any building permits on many of them.

Last year, there were only 14 new home starts worth $2.48 million, and only four started through the first four months of 2006.

"Don't bother looking at the numbers," says Laing. "They don't tell a very representative story about what's going on. We've got so many proposals out there and quite a few are coming to fruition that it's looking pretty good."

Hall Construction, a local contractor, is collaborating with Tamarack North, a Port Carling home builder, and Orrville's Benchmark Construction to build the Thunder Creek subdivision on Winnifred Street behind Parry Sound's high school.

The first phase of 20 lots is off and running with three model homes priced in the $259,000 to $359,000 range already built. A second phase of 30 more lots remains on the drawing board.

Local developer Fritz Distler is overseeing the first phase of Prospect Point, an eventual 27-unit subdivision on Waubeek Street with 12 lots offering elevated views of the bay. Located near the Canadian Coast Guard base, the project features custom-built homes. The engineering details were being worked out in May with a subdivision agreement expected to be in place in June to extend streets and services.

Parry Sound Marine owner Rudy Krist wants to build a 10-townhouse subdivision next to his marina at the mouth of the Seguin River. The town has granted draft plan approval, says Laing, with...