CANADIAN LAKES — When Richard, Ronald and Robert Marino looked at the resort areas of nationally-recognized Tullymore and St. Ives golf clubs, they saw potential.
The brothers decided to see if their uncle, renowned real-estate developer J. Peter Ministrelli, saw the same. He did. Together the partners are helping build one of the most exciting retirement and recreational communities in Michigan.
Economic woes? Not in the Canadian Lakes area. The group said the initial investment for the project is $30 million.
According to the Marinos and Ministrelli, development plans call for construction of 340 luxury homes, condos and fractionals with The Villages at Tullymore and a 13,000 square-foot clubhouse at Tullymore, as well as amenities. The first phase of development includes 60 condominium complexes, 192 single-family lots and four to eight fractional homes, Ministrelli said. Fractional homes are deeded property where individuals will purchase their portion and be entitled to spend so many days there.
“When they spend their time here, they will have the opportunity to enjoy what St. Ives and Tullymore have to offer,” Ministrelli said.
“We’re interested in building a community that will be here for residents all year round,” Robert said.
The brothers and Ministrelli purchased the two golf clubs in August 2007. St. Ives was built in 1995 by Michigan native Jerry Matthews. Tullymore, designed by Golf Digest’s Architect of the Year for 2005 Jim Engh, opened in 2002.
St. Ives was given “five stars” by Golf Digest, and in 2004 it was named one of the Top 100 You Can Play by Golf Magazine. Tullymore was named one of the Top 15 Public and Resort Courses in America by Golf Digest this year, the Number One New Upscale Golf Course in America by Golf Digest in 2002 and made the Top 100 Modern United States Courses of All Time by Golf Week.
Developing real estate is nothing new for Ministrelli, who has developed areas surrounding California golf courses designed by PGA legends Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tom Weiskopf.
The homes will be built surrounding various golf course settings such as lakes, wooded areas, wetlands and fairways.
“We also saw the need for an elegant, first-rate banquet facility,” Richard added. “It is important to us to accommodate the people here.”
Additionally, plans are under way for a recreation center for homeowners that will include a spa, health center, Olympic size pool, tennis and basketball courts, jogging trails and cross country skiing.
“We’re really using the natural beauty of this area to compliment the projects,” Ministrelli said. “This is a chance to have a first-class community here throughout the entire year.
“Those are just a couple of the ideas that are in the discussion stages of planning,” he said. “We will be looking at those and other ideas more closely when the other projects are 70 to 80 percent complete. It all depends on the economic market.”
Ministrelli and the Marino brothers said one way that this community will be better served is by the people hired to work there. They noted the hiring of Head Chef Rex Smith, who has earned numerous awards.
“We look to hire the top people to manage these places,” Richard said. “The food operations here have improved and we’re offering fine dining.
“We hope to take that over to Tullymore to put the total package together.”
“We look to add to the quality of product we have by the people who will be here,” Ministrelli said.
Kevin O’Brien, general manager of St. Ives Resort and director of golf, said the developments are adding to what the previous owners already had here.
“I think the developments are going to give a positive shot in the arm for this area,” he said. “It will really make people aware of Canadian Lakes and Mecosta County, but not only the people here, but throughout the Midwest and the national level.”
O’Brien said that on any particular day, someone from around the world will show up to play on Tullymore or St. Ives golf courses.
“We have a couple from Sweden who is playing the top courses throughout the United States,” he said. “It’s just really exciting.
“The plans are first-class, and (Ministrelli and the Marino brothers) have done this in such a professional manner, that it is going to be a lot of fun.”
Completion of the project is estimated to be in five to seven years, but the Marinos and Ministrelli said it really depends on the economy and the trade personnel who work on the developments.
“We’re going to try to use local tradesmen and workers as much as possible with these projects,” Ministrelli added. “It’s important to us as well as this area.”
“These projects are definitely going to have an economic impact on this area,” Robert said. “The projects could lead to up to 200 additional jobs in the area.”
The Tullymore project is projected to raise the tax-base to $700,000 in net and impact the economy with an additional $7 million on the tax base in the long-term outlook. The total value of the developments is expected to be in excess of $300 million upon completion. Sales staff for the homes, condos and fractionals area available from noon to 6 p.m., seven days a week. For more information, call (800) 503-2630.