Developer trims size of proposed spa complex on P.E.I.'s South Shore after neighbours raise issues

A proposed Nordic spa project in the Chelton Beach area of P.E.I. will be 40 per cent smaller than first planned, its developer told about three dozen people who gathered in Summerside Wednesday night for a final public meeting on whether approval should be granted.

The province will make the decision on the project, since the site is in an unincorporated area just west of Borden-Carleton. It is accepting written feedback until Jan. 17, before planners make a recommendation on whether approval should be granted.

The project, proposed for 90 McCardle Rd., would feature Nordic spa pools, cottages and a restaurant to start.

Developer Ken Dunn, with Cottage Dream Vacations, had originally also proposed a complex that included an events venue and hotel.

He downsized those plans after neighbours objected to the size of the project at the first public meeting in July. 

McCardle Road is not paved and they were worried about traffic and noise, as well as how much water the complex would draw from the water table in the area.

About 40 people live in the area year-round, along with seasonal cottage residents. 

On Wednesday night, Dunn said he has heard those concerns and is trying to be transparent. 

"When we first put the [plan] together, we were thinking, you know, 'How big can we make this?' and 'What can we do?' 

"And we found that from the initial feedback from the community ... we should be thinking more about what would be best in the area." 

After that, Dunn said, "we eliminated about 40 per cent of the space from the property." 

The Department of Transportation has concluded that the increase from the spa project would not warrant paving the road, and Dunn assured the crowd a spa would not generate much noise.

Cottage Dream Vacations bought the land in 2023 and has since fixed up the five cottages on the property.

The site's plans call for a spa building, a new well, a parking lot with 48 spaces directly off McCardle Road, and five Nordic-style outdoor pools on the side of the building away from the parking lot. Eight new cottages are also shown on the other side of a structure hosting meditation space next to the pools.