After being in limbo for more than 29 months, Izatys Resort will have a new owner in a transition that involves a pair of well-known Izatys players and buyer Roy Winjum.
The 78-year old south shore resort on Lake Mille Lacs will be run by Jason and Sherry Tollette until the sale is closed with Winjum, a Faribault businessman. Commerce Bank currently owns the resort. The close date is projected for June 2010. The Tollettes will run the resort through the 2010 season as Winjum prepares a transition team and plan.
A purchase agreement was signed on February 12th. Details of the purchase were not released.
The deal could be a boost to 130 Izatys lakeside town home owners and several thousand Village at Izatys Timeshare holders. Those groups suffered a drop in property/timeshare values with the resort going into bankruptcy and closing, coupled with the recent recession and loss of amenities. The sale should also help support local businesses as vacationers return to Izatys.
Sherry Tollette said that Club 19 will open April 1, starting with weekends. The couple stated that Izatys will be bringing back some fine dining nights in the Shore Room, more live entertainment on weekends and some theme events. Early business tallies put things on the upswing as there are more scheduled weddings than at any time since 2001. Corporate sales are also rebounding. The Tollette’s will hire staff to operate the hotel, Club 19, Blackbrook Golf Course and Walleye World and Marina for the entire 2010 season, according to Jason Tollette.
One staple of yesteryear returns as The Cheeseburger Open Golf Tourney is back after a two-year hiatus. The Stars on the Water Band from San Diego is scheduled to return for the June 19th event. Former Golf Pro Mark Kern will return to run the Pro Shop.
Right now, things are running full speed on the planning side as Commerce Bank scurries to get a needed liquor license from Mille Lacs County and certification from the Minnesota Health Department. The Tollettes will need to hire staff and train a small army of employees to ensure quality service.
Work will also begin on resurrecting the front nine of Sanctuary Golf Course, which was mothballed two years ago and is in dismal shape. The plan is for Mike Eden and staff to have the course ready in time for the 2011 golf season. Tollette said that additional dollars have been budgeted for more and improved course equipment and several key shop needs.
The Tollettes are not newcomers to Izatys.
Jason served as general manager of Izatys from 2003 to 2005 and was the golf pro from 1998 to 2002. The couple teamed up as overall property managers last year for Commerce Bank, which has owned the resort since late December 2008. They helped recruit local businessmen Rand Syverson and Brandon Niesen who successfully ran Club 19. And they had local bait shop owner Bill Lundeen operate Walleye World in 2009. Tollette is the selling agent of the property as part of his Meyer Commercial Real Estate business in St. Cloud. Jason’s father, Dick Tollette, will also devote some time to helping out with the golf course planning and improvements. He and his wife, Marvy, own the Stone Lodge on the property.
Sherry has served in hospitality sales for the last 10 years, leaving a job with Torgerson Properties and Hotels in Maple Grove as sales director for Hampton Inn last year to help out at Izatys. She is spearheading Izatys sales and marketing and will also help with property management.
“I like to call myself the fun director,” Sherry said enthusiastically. “My favorite job as you know is poolside bingo coordinator.”
Owners and vacationers can expect to see some changes and upgrades at Izatys this year. The 28-room hotel reopens with some added amenities, including microwaves and mini-refrigerators in each room,” A recent insurance claim stemming from an August 2007 storm is pending with Commerce Bank and may be used to reroof both the hotel and clubhouse and possibly add needed paint and repairs to both outer buildings.
Golf Memberships are available now and can be purchased replying to the Izatys web site pdf file. And a rental pool is being developed to help accommodate larger corporate groups. For more information, see Izatys.com for golf and rental pool information.
Winjum owns and operates a pair of successful smaller resorts, one in Faribault and one in LeCenter, MN. He signed the purchase agreement Friday and is preferring to keep a low profile during the transition and until the sale is complete, Jason Tollette said.
Winjum has privately expressed several noteworthy visions for expansion of the property but wasn’t available for comment today.
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34 comments:
Only time will tell if this deal flies. I would like nothing better than to get Izatys back on a roll again, but with this economy, one has to wonder how many dollars Mr. Winjum will bring to the table to restore the resort.
I hope Randy and Brandon come back to run the Club 19. They did a great job with a decent menu and good service.
"...how many dollars Mr. Winjum will bring to the table to restore the resort."
Restore the resort, you have to be kidding! I was a the county courthouse this morning and heard the Winjum vision is to convert Izaty's to a trailer park.
He wants to add few hundred sites for rv's and campers, That would more then double the number of people at Izaty's.
The person I spoke with said that the population at Izaty's on any giving weekend would be MORE then Onamia, Isle and Wahkon COMBINED.
Careful, here. Can we at least hear what Mr. Winjum has to say? I hear the Messenger may have a story on Wednesday. He can develop the back half of sanctuary in any way he wishes but has to meet county laws and get approvals...
I am continually amazed at the Izatys townhome owners that somehow think this is their private resort. If they want it to be a private resort, perhaps they should step up and buy it themselves!
Maybe people should show some support that someone wants to make this resort viable again. I personally have been @ two of the three resorts Mr Winjum owns and was very impressed by both. It was obvious to me that both Howard Lake and Roberds Lake resorts are well maintained. I think this will only be good for the community.
check out codgerscove.com this is a RV park not a trailer park. One of Mr Winjiums resorts
To all local families and business owners in the Mille Lacs Area. We have booked 4 weddings, 3 family reunions,many large golf groups and some corporate groups. Everyone from bar owners, shop owners, retail owners and gas stations/ markets. The business is flowing in so fast and it's only February. Everyone will enjoy the higher revenue potentials this summer. Thank you for your support!
I live down the road near the point. Seems like a dumb idea to me. I don't want a trailer park in my backyard.
guaranteed a trailer park, 400+ plots planned initialy. look at his other business model - sorry! it has been very successful for him but certainly not what the current homeowners want.
Rand and Brandon did a great job last year in Club 19, maybe they were too successful(read made to much money) as the bank and Jason did not invite them back so they can keep all the profits.
The sale of Izatys is a gift. In these times for anyone to step up and be willing to risk $s' on the Izayts Property is some what unbelivable. The homeowners have a remarkable opportunity to see their recreational amenities preserved. A year ago the resort was dead and there now is hope that it may survive.
Last time I check it would be the new owners decision to operate the resort as he see's fit. Not the bank. Rand and Brandon did an amazing job last year and deserve many kudos for all their hard work. As local business owners they stand to benifit greatly from a fully operation Izatys and the additional people the resort brings to the local community.
Us local business people need a thriving Izatys. But we all know from experience from the Mille Lacs Island Resort that many RVers come on a week vacation with a pair of clean underwear and a $20 bill and don't change either one.
I don't know how anybody thinks this can be anything but good! WE NEED BUSINESS/JOBS IN OUR AREA!
I looked at his other resort websites, and those are just the type of places I miss. We've traded in our mom and pop resorts for so called "high class" uber-resorts (always trying to be something we're not)that this economy just can't support. Its time to get back to our resort "roots" - back to what works.
Some people that come for a weeks trip in a RV, may not spend much; however do locals really want to bank on that or would you rather think about even if it was only $20 per person spent, that would still mean more business then with out the extra travelers. I can not believe that people are really complaining about Izaty’s having a new owner and bringing more money to the area in what ever way works. Maybe the people complaining don’t really need the business, but I know that there are tonz of people that could use the extra work, and business.
It's nice to see positive comments coming from many of you, yes we are all in a sort of "wait and see" mode right now after what Izatys has gone through lately but the posibility of new owners and renovation can only be a positive step forward. A functioning Izatys helps EVERYONE in the community. 4-5 years ago when Izatys was still on all cylinders we offered over 200+ jobs in the summer. That can be a reality again if not even more job opportunities. Every business from bars to gift shops to gas stations will benefit. Mr. Winjum, if he buys it, will have the opportunity to attempt to do what he wants and we should support him...I know I will.
It also amazes me seeing some of the negativity and lack of accurate information from some people, at least use your real name if you plan on bad-mouthing someone. First, it will NOT be a "trailer park" as many uninformed people are speculating. Anyone who says that is well, wrong. Mr. Winjum knows that a "trailer park" would not work at Izatys. Second the homeowners and village association will be involved and yes, this is in part their resort. If things don't fly with them it probably won't happen. That's why it will remain an upscale high-end RV/park model resort. They will make sure of that. Third, the decision to keep everything "in-house" was a decision by the bank and Mr. Winjum. With a pending sale it was the only option. Imagine selling the resort in June and having the business renters being forced to leave in mid-summer. Of course the new owner will want complete control as soon as he buys it. Now Jason has been unfairly attacked about this. Jason worked as many hours as I did last summer to rebuild the Izatys property and Izatys name to make a sale possible and many of the people who will benefit from his hard work are being negative toward him. This needs to stop now. You should thank him rather than attack him.
People this is a positive, remember that. A working Izatys benefits EVERYONE! And please, in the future, check with someone who knows the facts before spreading false rumors.
Mike Edin
Head Golf Course Superintendent
Izatys
The primary concern with adding an "RV" park is that the communal resources such as the pool, marina, bar, etc. will not handle the added patrons based upon what is already present. It is my opinion that Mr. Winjum will need to spend quite a bit of money to bring the basic facilities up to speed. Expansion of the current facilities would not be an option unless the homeowner's association is willing to lift some of the easements that are already in place. It makes no sense for the homeowners association to do so unless a serious compensation package is offered. It all comes back to the same problem as in the past. A business owner wants full control of their business. Mr. Winjum will not have full control to do as he wants as long as the ITA holds all the easements that currently are in place. I personally think that the ITA should purchase the resort, hire the right person to run it and improve upon the facilities. By the way.....I'm not afraid to list my name. Todd Wilson, owner unit #224.
Mike Edin, I believe the golf course super??? Makes some good points. We hope he has learned to curb his temper as well as his usage of foul language.
Wow, the comments! I looked at the Mille Lacs Messenger website and it is also riddled with comments. We had more than 700 visitors to this story in less than three days. A lightning rod of energy this Izatys Purchase... Well, I am taking off my normal Make It Mille Lacs Hat and putting on the one that reads, townhome owner of unit 230. And I will add my two cents.
First, I think all can agree that last summer's Izatys went well. As owners, we had use of a pool and hot tub and we had a very nice club run by Rand and Brandon, a great Marina and bait operation run by Bill L. and Mike Edin and staff did wonders to restore Blackbrook to at least 2005 standards on the golf-side.
But in 29 months since Izatys filed Bankruptcy we haven't had one valid purchase agreement on the property. That tells me that the economy was horrible, that banks weren't lending and that good old fashioned American business folks weren't investing in risky ventures. And that maybe Izatys was overpriced....
Well, now a gentleman steps up and wants to buy the place. I give him alot of credit. I am certain as he has does his due diligence that he will understand that he needs to work with the ITA and Village entities and won't just get their rubber stamps. Just like they are saying in congress these days -- all need to give and take to do what is right and maybe learn to compromise. I believe the same with ITA, the Village, the Marina Association and Mr. Winjum. If everybody can win some of the things they need and compromise in the spirit of the greater good, then Izatys will win as a team.
The one thing we don't need is another Izatys failure. As for Todd's idea about ITA buying the resort? ITA is a very healthy organization and its 130-owners are deed holders to the priceless two-mile stretch of lakeshore on Mille Lacs. But ITA struggles to pass on a $10 dues increase to its owners once in several years so don't think it will go to the well for millions and stick the cost to its members. There are also some in the area who could write out the check. The question is how many more checks will they have to write out after they buy it? There was no maintenance program under previous ownership. ITA, The Village and Commerce Bank made the pool work after two years of non-use. They worked together.
Mr. Winjum will probably present his plan when he has one and I do believe the assessment by Jason and Sherry Tollette that he is a good businessman and person. They want nothing more than to run an efficient, classy Izatys resort this spring, summer and fall. It's their name associated with the resort's operation and the person the bank is turning it over to. And I am sure Mr. Winjum wants nothing more than a bunch of new customers, happy current ones and a thriving business on the south shore or he wouldn't be sticking his neck out.
And I am sure BayView wouldn't mind 50-100 new customers on warm summer day with 10 bucks to spend either...
There are the retirees who tool between here and warm weather winters in $250,000-$350,000 rigs, towing Jeep Cherokees. That is a luxury RV. And there are those who might pull an older 20-footer behind their 1995 Ford F150. Those are RVs. One has more money than the other, but both couples' cash spends the same in these parts.
In my five years in these parts, I haven't heard any complaints about a well-maintained fish house park just south of the back nine of Sanctuary Golf Course. That is where the likely "RV" site would exist.
So I'm just going to be an optimist until I have reason to see my glass half empty.
Mr. Wilson, thanks for addressing my comments and I agree with you on many aspects of it. I am very well aware of all the easements involved in the sale of Izatys from the wastewater plant, to tuxedo road, to land concerning the hotel and pool area. I've been here quite a while and know the ropes! I know very well how much strength the ITA has. I also agree that improvement of the existing facilities should take precedence over new and expanding facilities. I should also expand on my "complete control" comment. what I meant was handling the resort issue by himself and not having certain aspects of the resort rented out. Sorry for the misleading comment. I think we should all wait to see his plan, including that of the communal resources before we come to conclusions. Who knows, maybe he'll build another "clubhouse" at the RV resort....just an idea from MY head, no facts involved there!
I do believe Mr. Winjum will address all these issues and I truly hope he's aware of the situation. If so it could be a very good thing for all. Hope to see you on the golf course this summer! I have even HIGHER expectations for Blackbrook this summer.
Mike Edin
Head Golf Course Superintendent
p.s. to "anonymous"...If it actually came down to me losing my temper and using foul language towards you....well then you deserved it. Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you that I am a calm quiet guy.
Guess that's the water park we have been hearing about.
Remember who brought us Dave K.
Enough said!!
Exactly what I was thinking, the Tollette's are the only ones that made money when Dave K was around, they are the only ones who are making money off the bank, and Jason stands to make a pretty good real estate commisiion if this thing goes through.
They are nice people but lets not make saints out of them, they are making a pretty good buck off of this thing.
Bring a $350,000 RV to hang out on a golf course with no trees.....what have you been putting in your peace pipe?
Lets come up with a name for the new RV park.
"Winjum by The Ponds" or "Winjum Ponds Resort"
"You Don't have to Stay Here To Play Here"
Why would you townhome owners at Izatys even think anyone would want to be the owner of this resort; let alone deal with people who won't even wait to hear from the new owner!
Maybe the new owner should not have had his representative (Jason) talk to the newspaper before he was ready to comment on what he wanted to do. They are talking about a major change to the landscape of the southern part of Millelacs Lake. Of course people are going to specualte and comment with out any real information. If you think this is bad go sit at the bar at Bayview and listen for a while.
Purchase agreement signed, he's not the new owner yet. He still has a chance to walk away. If he becomes the owner the townhome owners will support him in many ways just as they did when the bank took over. Yes there will be issues that have to be resolved. There will just have to be a little give and take to work them out.
This is a website about Mille Lacs Lake tourism.... do you people really think that complaining about the lake and the resorts/business owners in the area are going to ATTRACT people to this area to spend their money? Stand behind the Winjum's and support the area businesses until they give you a reason not to.
I agree with the last two post. Not sure what people are thinking...this venture could save the resort..pool...bar....golf.
Ditto...to the last post. I sure hope the nay-sayers are the minority
Two things in life are certain...Death and change. This is change but we don't know yet if it is good or bad we just know that it is most likely different. Perhaps everyone should focus on things in their control and not waste time bashing somebody that nobody has met and only wants to be successful. By the way, if he is successful, the area is most likely better off.
I cant believe the negativity of these posts...to me as an owner it can only be good news. I am very excited for the new changes, my kids will be so excited to use the pool and golf this summer. enough said.
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