“When I stood on this property and saw its natural beauty, I knew almost instantly that I wanted to buy it.”
“Work of the Future” is a series highlighting career paths, local job opportunities, programs and success stories highlighting North Bay’s diverse job market.
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If one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2024 includes getting closer to nature, look no further. Otter Point Resort An experience like no other. This luxury getaway is just a stone’s throw from North His Bay, ensuring you’re close to the heart of nature in unparalleled comfort.
Co-owners Abigail and Ian Bingham have created a place where nature and modern comfort are seamlessly intertwined.
“We aimed for luxury in the lap of nature, and the geodesic domes and cabins we operate here embody that fusion, providing a connection to nature without sacrificing modern comforts. We offer that,” says Abigail. “The cabin is very inviting. It’s on the water, five feet away, and it’s gorgeous. The dome is a four-season dome and is heated primarily with a wood stove. Although there is electric baseboard heating. , it’s basically a huge tent so it’s not very effective in the winter, so we have unlimited firewood. When you wake up in the morning, it can be a little chilly until you get the fire going again. There’s a lot of heat coming from the flooring. We always recommend bringing warm fuzzy socks or slippers because of the loss of heat, but we hope to move to radiant floor heating soon.”
Abigail, a former high school teacher from Grimsby, Ont., and Ian, a criminal defense attorney from Hamilton, take a bold leap into entirely new territory when they stumble upon Otter Point Resort, a former Pigeon’s Nest trailer park. Of the 15 acres, 7.5 acres are located in pristine forest and the remaining 7.5 acres are on the waterfront. It captured their hearts and imaginations.
“We were looking for a change from the stressful pace and cramped life of the city. We found this place by chance, even though Google Maps initially steered us in the wrong direction. “But when I stood on this property and saw its natural beauty, my decision to buy this place changed. Almost instantly,” she recalls.
But their journey wasn’t just about creating a luxury escape. It was rooted in a deeper purpose. “We wanted to cater to people like our parents – active, nature-loving people who seek comfort. But more importantly, we wanted to open our doors to people who don’t resonate with the traditional camping experience. That’s what we were aiming for,” Bingham explains.
The resort was not the Bingham family’s first entrepreneurial endeavor. Their original plan was to have enough space for an animal sanctuary. Abigail’s passion for animal rescue stems from her upbringing and her experience working at her SPCA in St. Catharines. “We considered a petting zoo or cat cafe, with the aim of providing a haven for both animals and humans,” she shares, with a long-term vision that extends beyond the realm of glamping. I’m emphasizing it.
Creating Otter Point Resort was a difficult but rewarding process. “It was a hectic period from purchasing the property in January 2022 to moving in that September,” Bingham reveals. With Abigail managing the resort and Ian working full-time as a lawyer, the Binghams are determined to nurture their dreams of business growth and plan an expansion of the property.
“Growing up in the ’90s, consideration for people with allergies wasn’t as prevalent as it is today, so I really felt for the kids who had similar experiences to me and couldn’t eat cupcakes. I realized that I couldn’t find anything safe. I love baking and plan to open an on-site nut-free bakery within the next two years. We planned it when we were looking at all the buildings here and thinking about the future of what this place could be. When we did our first renovation, we installed the proper plumbing and put in the infrastructure to house the bakery’s electricity and water,” Bingham says.
Their penchant for community involvement extends beyond business operations, as it reflects the couple’s altruistic approach to sharing insights and learning with up-and-coming entrepreneurs.
“I recently received a message from a person from Quebec who said she has a dome and was wondering how to make it four seasons. They were explaining difficult things to me. I’ve shared some tips that I’ve used and found helpful. Reaching out to people is important because you might need that help yourself someday. “I think that’s a good thing. I always want people to come tour Otter Point and talk about what we’ve done and hopefully answer questions,” she said. Masu.
The Bingham family strives to carve a niche in the hospitality industry and welcome guests to immerse themselves in the tranquility of Otter Point Resort. “The joy of waking up surrounded by nature and water and having an otter take a selfie is a surreal experience. We invite you to embrace the tranquility and enjoy the perfect blend of luxury and nature. I highly recommend it,” says Bingham.
Otter Point Resort is offering a great deal where you can save 25% off your stay when you book your stay from now until March 31, 2024 and use the code “Winterglamping” at checkout.
If you have an idea for a Future of Work story, email Matt. [email protected]
