So many businesses in the hospitality industry have been impacted by the pandemic and Wander Resort in Prince Edward Country in Ontario is no exception.

The resort featuring ten lakefront cabins was originally scheduled to open this summer, but now won't be welcoming its first guests until sometime in the fall at the very earliest.

“We planned for everything along this timeline, details down to scheduling the furniture deliveries,” said Shannon Hunter, owner and interior designer of the new resort.

“And then COVID hit.”

Hunter says the decision to pause construction was made in March after considering the mounting health and safety risks. 

“My husband is a family physician in Prince Edward County. Because of this we were uniquely positioned to hear both sides of the initial debates about how to handle the emerging crisis," she said.

"There were concerns about handling an influx of COVID patients in the local hospital." 

A rendering of Wander Resort.

Hunter, who also owns and operates five other vacation properties in the area, says she immediately fell in love with Prince Edward County on her first visit with her husband nearly a decade ago.

“What has always struck me is the pace of life here. My heart rate slows and I feel at ease as soon as we make the turn off the 401,” she said.

“The county is equally a vibrant community with so much going on. Full of passionate entrepreneurs - many of them strong women entrepreneurs - that put their heart and soul into their business, and support each other along the way.”

These days the county has been quieter than usual, with travel and tourism in the area at a temporary standstill, as it is across the rest of Canada.

“The local business association has put together a task force to look at best practices to re-open our tourist economy in a way that is safe for everyone, above and beyond the government guidelines and recommendations,” said Hunter.

“At least in the beginning, tourism is bound to look a little different, as will every industry when it starts to open back up.”

A rendering of Wander Resort.

Hunter says despite the setbacks, she feels positive about the future of the new resort and the continued draw of Prince Edward County once tourists are welcome again.

“Wander will be a much welcome retreat as people will be looking for a destination that is close to home. Somewhere spacious, with a certain sense of privacy, to be together in small groups,” she said.

“The county is known as a place to get away from it all, an easy retreat to peaceful nature. We all need this more than ever.”