Archive for the ‘A New Chapter Begins – White Point working towards re-opening Fall 2012’ Category
December 27Inn Keeping with the Times
Posted by White Point Beach Resort Team on December 27th, 2012
December 16Open House – a gathering of friends, family
Posted by White Point Beach Resort Team on December 16th, 2012
On Friday December 14, 2012, we invited friends and family from our community and well beyond to join us at White Point for our Open House. With what seemed to be a steady stream of familiar faces, we had a marvelous chance to showcase our Lodge that Nova Scotia built. While we indulged in bunny cookies and refreshments, met with many of the artists whose work is showcased throughout, the highlight of the gathering was the Smudging Ceremony and Friendship Song presented by Elder Todd Labrador of Acadia First Nation followed by a gift presented by Judy Boutlier to White Point in the spirit of friendship – a delicate and beautiful hand-carved moose antler by Mi’Kmaq artist Bucky Moores.
Here are some pictures from the Open House, and we invite you to experience the Smudging Ceremony via video and explore a photo montage thanks to Innovative TV.
Thank you one and all who were able to join us, it truly was a great day at White Point!
December 11Meet Joe Zareski – our Main Lodge Architect!
Posted by White Point Beach Resort Team on December 11th, 2012
December 9Robert and Alicia Risley – they give a hoot, and so much more about White Point!
Posted by White Point Beach Resort Team on December 9th, 2012
December 6White Point Open House – Please Come!
Posted by White Point Beach Resort Team on December 6th, 2012
November 25Locals have a hand in White Point Rebuild, by Nick Moase
Posted by White Point Beach Resort Team on November 25th, 2012
Thanks to the Queesn COunty ADvance, our journey back to opening has been shared with our community - in print and online.
On Nov. 21/12, Editor Nick Moase released this story, helping up to showcase and celebrate the amazing talents of local contractors, students and artisits!
Read and see the full article online here: http://www.theadvance.ca/Business/Tourism/2012-11-21/article-3124669/Locals-have-hand-in-White-Point-Rebuild/1
Daunting project
Wayne Wentzell, who owns Wentzell Construction, was one of the many contractors that worked on the project. Wentzell is very familiar with White Point, and has worked with the resort for 20 years on new buildings and renovating cottages. His company was actually on site when the fire happened, renovating to some of the cottages.
As Risley was gathering contractors, Wentzell was one of those he called. Initially though Wentzell said no.
“It’s too big a project from what was envisioned,” he said.
That wasn’t the end of it though. Wentzell said Risley did a lot of gentle persuasion, and eventually he agreed to do some work.
“I’m glad we did take part now, but I was a little leery at first,” he said, but added, “When you make up your mind to do something, you do it.”
Wentzell and his company did framing, siding and windows on the lodge. It was one of the biggest buildings they had worked on, and he says working with such a large team proved challenging as well.
They managed to get everything done on time, though some of it was right down to the wire. There was an issue with some of the siding, and it needed to be reordered. It came in Wednesday night, and they installed it on Thursday morning as the first guests for Nova Scotia Music Week arrived.
Wentzell thinks the results are fantastic however, and is grateful Risley decided to work with trades people from Queens.
Teaching skills
Nathan Cromwell-Ives a Grade 12 student at Liverpool Regional High School had a helping hand in the lodge as well. Cromwell-Ives is part of the Options and Opportunities program at the school, which pairs students up with employers in the field they are interested in.
Cromwell-Ives interest lies in carpentry, and he was looking for a summer placement. The opportunity came up for him to spend seven weeks helping with the rebuild, and he took it.
Over his time on the build, he worked on many parts of the lodge.
“I went along with the guys and did what they were doing. There was a lot of back and forth from one thing to another,” he says.
The workers were willing to teach him the skills for the jobs, and he says it was a great learning experience.
Little people return
Joe Winters is a well-known folk artists from Queens County, and he was tasked with creating some special art for the lodge. One of the most popular requests he says was for the return of the “little people,” carved statues in folk art style. Originally there were two on site, but Winters was asked to make four.
There’s a little bit of fun injected into them as well. One is named Elliot after original owner Howard Elliot. The others are named after Robert Risley, and Winters himself, along with one other named Lester.
November 25Wrap Up White Point for the Holidays
Posted by White Point Beach Resort Team on November 25th, 2012
T-1 month!
Indeed the countdown to the festive holiday season at the beach is on! With our new Lodge ready for trimming and joyful gatherings booked, we are so looking forward to sharing the season with White Pointers.
Our Holiday Dinner & Show: Kickn’ in the Habit – A NunConvention Christmas has already kicked off to rave reviews and expect the same for the last 3 shows taking place Saturday evenings in December.
Although we are just about to greet December, our Christmas and New Year’s Packages have sold out – but there’s still room for the ‘tween’ holiday times. Join us Dec. 26 – 30th as we celebratewith daily programs and experiences. There’s live entertainment including John Gracie in the Founder’s Lounge on Dec. 28 and 29, then Donna & Alex will perform on Dec. 30. Check out all our Holiday Specials and Packages and the entire recreation schedule of fun!
White Point Gift Certificates seem to be very popular this year too – who wouldn’t welcome a White Point getaway as a Christmas Gift!
While you can wrap up anything you like, this year, we have created our Opening Year Package while is only available as Gift Certificate until Dec. 24/12.
“Destination White Point” Package Gift Certificate includes:
~ 2 nights room accommodation
~ breakfast daily for 2 people
~ copy of Destination White Point by Frances Jewel Dickson
To be enjoyed anytime in 2013!
Gift Certificates can be purchased anytime in person at White Point, by phone at 1.800.565.5068 or online.
No matter where the festive holiday season takes you, may you be surrounded by the love of friends and family.
November 13Like a Family Reunion – Press Conference Nov. 12/12
Posted by White Point Beach Resort Team on November 13th, 2012
Although the Lodge was not 100% finished, November 12/12, White Point opened its doors to host and acknowledge as many of the Nova Scotia suppliers, tradesmen, contractors and material providers as possible to observe our 1 year anniversary since the fire that destroyed our historic 1928 Main Lodge. Robert and Alicia Risley hosted a press conference specifically to say thank you to those who helped to design, craft and create our new Nova Scotia Masterpiece.
The event was held in our Founder’s Lounge, bathed in beautiful sunshine adjacent to the floor to ceiling beachstone fireplace. Opening the event was a showing of our vignette that so appropriately set the tone for the day: Meet the Team, our journey back to opening. With special guests Minister Preyra, Mayor Clarke, our architect Joe Zareski of WHW and Danny Morton our General Manager, each added their special ‘thanks’ to that of Robert and Alicia on this special day.
Indeed, as described in the Chronicle Herald article resulting from the event, it really was like a family reunion.
The oceanview from the main lodge has been enhanced with the repositioning of the lodge on the site – take a look LIVE at what your view is from the lodge via the new OceanCam on Nova Scotia Webcams.
White Point is open on weekends in November, returning to full, year-round operation in December.
Here are a number of pictures from the event – and people we were delighted to have with us, there were so many to thank, we could not get them all in here!
November 121 year later: A Nova Scotia Masterpiece Unveiled – Experiencing White Points Main Lodge
Posted by White Point Beach Resort Team on November 12th, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Press Conference 11am, White Point
Monday November 12, 2012 – White Point, Nova Scotia – Less than a year after the fire and 7 months after breaking ground, White Point has already reopened and welcomed their first guests. Inspired by the legacy of the former 1928 lodge, the seacoast and landscape, the new Lodge is a Nova Scotia Masterpiece, a showcase of and by Nova Scotians.
Not only did owner Robert and Alicia Risley and their team meet the commitment they made to Nova Scotia, they exceeded it. The Risley’s say White Pointers and Nova Scotians are going to feel right at home. “As guests approach and enter the Lodge, the sense of familiarity will wash over them in a powerful way. Our new Lodge pays homage to its roots while showcasing of the best that Nova Scotia has to offer.”
While the location is one of the best in the world, the Lodge design with its enhanced spaces and features frame it up beautifully. WHW Architect’s Joe Zareski enabled the Lodge to be an extension of the beach overlooking the Atlantic while Design 360 and J.W. Lindsay brought it to life.
White Point beachstone, carefully assembled by Dover Masonry anchors the foundation and extends up gracious pillars supporting the mirrored stairwells and extending its reach inside to the fireplaces while the ironwork flanking them are by Steve’s Ironworks. Enveloping the building, and carried inside, is the rough timber milled and prepared by Amos Millwork. Custom made features by Amos repeat themselves throughout including magnificent tables in the Dining Room. Reclaimed timbers integrated throughout, including the façade of the Front Desk and the Buffet in the Dining Room, add aged texture. And there are so many visual treats to be appreciated. From the return of the older photos on the walls, the folk art ‘little people’ by Joe Winters and the new White Point Quilt stitched by White Pointers with Bev Crouse to the hand selected adornments by Alicia Risley, the warmth emanates throughout.
To truly appreciate the Lodge, it has to be experienced in person. With nearly 90% of the suppliers, contractors, tradesmen and sub-trades, being from Nova Scotia, it is truly a gem to be celebrated and enjoyed as the Lodge that Nova Scotians built.
“I want to congratulate the White Point management and staff, the many individuals whose work is seen here today and the community who came together to re-build this beautiful lodge,” said Vicki Conrad, MLA for Queens, “White Point has long been an important part of the community not only for the service it provides and the people it employs, but because of the unique experiences that it offers visitors from around the world.”
Equipped with a new lodge, refreshed accommodations, and renewed enthusiasm, White Point’s General Manager, Danny Morton, says it’s great to be back. “It’s been an exciting time for our team. They’ve been a part of the process and even the heavy lifting in some cases and we all look forward to welcoming White Pointers for many generations to come”.
White Point opened its doors for Nova Scotia Music Week Nov. 8 – 11 and will be open on weekends in November while remaining details are completed. By December White Point is back in operation, as Nova Scotia’s only year round oceanfront beach resort.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alAs9VJE4q0&list=UUuiTDQxeYmgl_9Uq2osF55w&index=10&feature=plcp
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Media Contact for White Point:
Donna Hatt, Marketing & Product Development Manager
email: donna@whitepoint.com
Phone: 902.354.2711 ext 369
Cell: 902.521.7319
www.facebook.com/whitepointbeachresort
www.twitter.com/WhitePointBeach
November 10White Point – Open for Weekends only in November starting 16th!
Posted by White Point Beach Resort Team on November 10th, 2012
Indeed, after hosting Nova Scotia Music Week Nov. 8-11, we’ll be open on weekends only in November starting Nov. 16th.
Our Main Lodge still has some finishing touches to be done so the contractors are moving back in Monday -Friday then clearing out so White Pointers can “Check-in” and check out their new lodge. We are not expecting all public spaces to be open until the end of the month.
However, in keeping with our White Point tradition, guests staying on the weekends will enjoy daily programs, nightly bonfires and marshmallow roasts, live entertainment on Saturday evenings while Elliot’s Dining Room will be welcoming guests to sample our new menus!
Please be advised that we expect the pool to be open by the end of the month.
If you’d like to make reservations, please give us a call at 1.800.565.5068 or visit us online at www.whitepoint.com.
In the meantime – check out the view from the Main Lodge, compliments of our new OceanCam on Nova Scotia Webcams!
http://www.novascotiawebcams.com/south-shore/white-point-beach-2.html
