Ontario Abandoned Places will be rebranded as Ominous Abandoned Places

Talisman Ski Resort

Closed Recreational in Grey Highlands, Ontario, Canada

Feb 12 2012

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Recent status Closed
Location # 4066

Talisman has been abandoned for almost a year now, and is quickly falling into a state of disrepair.
Easily accessible (I drove in). Many people around - hikers, cross-country skiiers, dog walkers, etc.

Bidding for the main resort area of the Talisman property (150 Talisman Mountain Drive) closed at 3 p.m. on Monday, August 12. The minimum bid was set at $2.39 million to cover taxes owing on the property.

This is the second time Krueger has made the exact same announcement, as the first tax sale closed with no bids for the main property on March 4.

Other secondary properties, however, were sold at that time.

Grey Highlands Mayor Wayne Fitzgerald said he was disappointed the municipality received no bids in the second tax sale.

"But that's life," he said.

Monday's outcome was not what CAO Dan Best expected.

"I am surprised we didn't receive any subsequent bids," said Best. "In terms of next steps, staff will meet to assess options and make recommendations to council on the matter."

So the old Mountain Resort remains in limbo once more.

Arson on the same date...

Grey County OPP received a call for mischief to the property at 9:20 p.m. on Monday, August 12 after five males were observed entering the property. The caller heard glass breaking.

Police arrived on scene and detected smoke on the second floor. Grey Highlands Fire Department attended the fire, and extinguished it quickly. There was minimal damage to the building.

MacabreKiss: Built in 1963, the former Talisman Ski Resort quickly became a beloved destination for both beginner and intermediate skiiers. Once the largest ski resort in Ontario and one of the first Ontario venues for snowboarding. The resort even held international snowboarding competitions.

In the early 2000's Talisman was unable to remain competitive with nearby Blue Mountain and began to lose money, by 2011 they officially declared bankruptcy.

The owner vanished, leaving 200+ acres and millions of dollars in unpaid taxes. The site sat vacant until 2013 when an auction was held by the township to pay off some of the outstanding debt (which totaled $2.3M).

After 2 failed attempts at selling the property for back-taxes, the lot eventually sold to Brian Ellis in 2015 for $1.8M. The plans included retiring the ski hill, restoring the buildings and launching a golf course with the goal being to reopen in 2016.

The buildings were stripped to the studs while a club house for the golf course was built. The course was open briefly but has since shut down.

As of the summer of 2020 the entire property is once again sitting vacant.

Comments

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9 years ago

This property is now active - contractors have been on-site, the place is being renovated and is no longer abandoned.

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9 years ago

Property purchased by toronto development team... will become a hotel and spa. http://www.thestar.com/business/real_estate/2014/05/13/bankrupt_talisman_ski_resort_to_become_hotel_and_spa.html

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10 years ago

There was a story on the ctv news about the municipality taking over the property.

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10 years ago

Grey Highlands to take over ownership. http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/2013/09/25/grey-highlands-to-take-ownership-of-talisman

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10 years ago

There was more we left unexplored due to other visitors and time. Thanks GS.

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10 years ago

Lots of great galleries here, but Doom, your collection really stresses the absolutely flabbergasting loss of potential assets here. Lots of room shots in everyone's galleries, but you really captured the sheer amount of commodities left behind. Holy crap. I'm stunned.

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10 years ago

Only dog walkers, locals and petty thiefs around for my visit this weekend.

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10 years ago

You be best staying away from this one, someone set a fire in the Kitchen last week and the building is now owned by the town. I suspect anyone entering will not be shown a good time by the local authorities. http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/2013/08/13/talisman-fire-suspicious

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10 years ago

Got approached by a fire department dude about ten minutes in and he told us we were trespassing and the cops would be called, so best that we left. So after he left we made our way to an obvious POE and checked it out. Its still accessablie but boarded up on the first and second floor now. The ballroom is in the dark :(

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12 years ago

Kking - you were probably at the bottom while I was at the top! lol

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12 years ago

Drove by today and the big sign at the road has blown down

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12 years ago

I don't know why there are 2 galleries

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12 years ago

Such a tragedy to see a place that was once so vibrant in the community fading into a wasteland. Hoping BDO finds a buyer that can rejuvenate the property and bring it back to being a "Feature" of this area instead of an eyesore

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12 years ago

What a phenomenal waste.

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12 years ago

It is in control of the receivers in the amount of around $4mil. Town of Beaver valley is owed about $1.6 and are in the process of foreclosing. The hydro was shut off at the end of last year causing the sump pumps to shut down and flooding out the basement causing severe mold problems within the building. The building is locked up tight with no Trespassing signs everywhere and is surrounded by

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12 years ago

Note to self... "plan a day trip to Talisman" Thanks a bundle.