Hockley Highlands Inn

Hockley Highlands Inn and Conference Centre
Map
General information
LocationMono, Ontario
Coordinates43°58′28.54″N 80°2′8.83″W / 43.9745944°N 80.0357861°W / 43.9745944; -80.0357861
OpeningLate 1990s
Closed2007-05-18
OwnerGoldman Hotels Inc.
Design and construction
DeveloperOntario Hydro
Other information
Number of rooms174

The Hockley Highlands Inn and Conference Centre, on the East side of 3rd Line Road, Mono, Ontario, south of Dufferin County Road 7 (Hockley Road), opposite the Hockley Valley Resort, is a hotel and conference centre with 5 main buildings on 200 acres (0.81 km2) of forested land sloping towards the Hockley Valley. It has been closed to the public since May 2007.[1]

History

Originally built in the 1960s by Ontario Hydro for internal corporate use as the Glen Cross Conference and Training Centre. It was sold to Goldman Hotels Inc. in the late 1990s and opened as public hotel, catering mainly to large conferences and local functions such as weddings.[2] In May 2007, it was abruptly closed.[3][4] From 2003 to 2007, the inn donated space to Theatre Orangeville, which used 5,000 square feet (460 m2) of space for set design, prop storage and rehearsal space.[5][6]

Scientology

In 2009 the property was purchased by the Church of Scientology Canada who plans to establish a national headquarters and retreat site there.[7][8][9][10]

Niagara Escarpment

Entrance to Peter Beecham Side Trail

The property is located on the Niagara Escarpment and classified as Escarpment Protection Area by the Niagara Escarpment Commission,[11] which limits use and development. In April 2004, an application was made for an amendment to rezone the property to Escarpment Recreation Area, and re-applied for in May 2008.[12]

The main Bruce Trail hiking trail runs through the property, as well as the Peter Beecham Side Trail. A Scientology representative said that they have no plans to alter the existing Bruce Trail.[13]

References

  1. ^ Hargrave, Mandi (24 May 2007). "After eight years, Hockley Highlands closes its doors". Orangeville Citizen. Archived from the original on 12 August 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  2. ^ Currell, Harvey (13 January 2007). "Take the high road: Hockley Valley Highlands Inn is a great place to visit". Sun Media. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  3. ^ Hargrave, Mandi (31 May 2007). "Hockley Highlands customers left in the dark". Orangeville Citizen. Archived from the original on 25 September 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  4. ^ "Hockley Highlands employees paid". Orangeville Citizen. 14 June 2007. Archived from the original on 24 July 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2009.
  5. ^ Hargrave, Mandi (5 July 2007). "Theatre looking for new storage, rehearsal space". Orangeville Citizen. Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2009.
  6. ^ Pelton, Dan (29 May 2008). "Community Living, Theatre Orangeville to share living space". Orangeville Citizen. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2009.
  7. ^ Robson, Dan (15 March 2011). "Former Orangeville-area resort to become Scientology headquarters". Toronto Star. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  8. ^ "Church of Scientology builds new headquarters in Ontario". Macleans. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
  9. ^ "Mono council to hear from Scientologists". Orangeville Banner. 28 March 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  10. ^ Pelton, Dan (14 April 2011). "Scientologists appear before Mono council". Orangeville Citizen. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  11. ^ "Niagara Escarpment Plan, Map 4" (PDF). Niagara Escarpment Commission. 1 June 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  12. ^ The Goldman Group (15 May 2008). "Proposed Niagara Escarpment Plan Amendment, PD 151 04" (PDF). Niagara Escarpment Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  13. ^ "Scientology retreat won't alter Bruce Trail". Orangeville Banner. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2013.