During one of our visits to the local pub, the conversation got around to what we intended to do after the war. Perhaps a tourist resort not unlike our present home, of course without guns, landing craft, and the ever present gunners mate roaring, "You don't walk, you don't run across that parade square, you bloody well fly", after the war.
The two vets, some what gullible, coming from Winnipeg and not knowing the resort areas in Ontario, read some ads in the Toronto Star and followed up on an ad in Honey Harbour. The property wasn't to our liking so we continued driving around the area, and to this day, how we ended up in Bala remains a mystery.
However, we found our Shangrila just outside of Bala, facing west and overlooking Trafalgar Bay on the Moon River.
This piece of property consisted of five lots, a total 900ft of water front, well wooded and about 300 feet deep - ideal for a housekeeping resort.
In those days, Bala had its own Municipal Government, consequently, building permits were easy to come by so we started to build vertical log cottages. Our father, who was also a veteran from both wars, was an expert axe man as his parents immigrated to Canada in 1906 and homesteaded on a 600 acre tract of land in a place called Sandridge, 60 miles north of Winnipeg.
As I understand, to become owner of the land, the homesteader must clear a minimum of 25 acres a year, of course my dad and his brothers soon became woodsmen as their home and barns were made from the trees from the land.
We, therefore, became weekend woodsmen, and soon became proficient in the art of felling trees, and using two handed crosscut saws and the debarking of logs as there were no chainsaws in those days.
Both my brother and myself know that without my fathers' help and guidance, the eventual completion of 17 two and three bedroom, fully modern cottages would not have been accomplished. Of course the carpentry course my brother took through the veterans' affairs training programs did give us an insite in the laying out of rafters, stairs and the general construction of a building.
My brother and I finally got married off in the early fifties, and our wives and children became a big part in our weekend, part-time resort.
Most revenue received was put back into the business, consequently the resort was always upgraded, improved and became a landmark in the Bala area with second and third generation families returning to their childhood holiday resort.
As you can see we had dreams, but one was not fulfilled, a golf course on a 35 acre tract of land purchased some ten years ago, ideal for a nine hole executive course.
The course was laid out and unlike the early fifties, applications had to be made. The local government was now part of the township of Muskoka Lakes and permits, plot plans and general layouts for greens and tees were required - and of course the Ministry of the Environment had to give their blessing.
To receive permission from the township, residents within a given area had to be contacted and any objections would have to be dealt with. Because of this and a few objections, some five years later and numerous reports, from the turf management pertaining to the effects of fertilizers, herbicides, and the use of chemicals on non-agricultural lands, approval was given. Because of the delay, the course was redesigned with the addition of another eleven acres. The course consisted of 6 par fours and 3 par threes, winding through virgin forests with four water holes and the fifth hole bordering on a concession lake.
After three years operating from a forty foot portable trailer, a picturesque pro shop was completed in July -96 with small lunch and liquor facilities. The Grand Opening took place in late September after a successful season.
We're sure 1998 will be our best season ever with the pro shop running in full gear with all its facilities.
Come and enjoy a stay at Trafalgar Bay Cottages and a round of golf at Beaver Run Golf Club. Pull carts, electric carts and club rentals are available. Come and enjoy vacationing and golfing at its best in Muskoka.