About the Loraine Club:
The Loraine Club property was the home of the Loraine Hunting
and Fishing Club from the early 1900’s until the mid 1990’s, when
it became the extended family cottage of three families. The Loraine is not a commercial property,
but it is available for rent for limited periods when not being used by the
families.
The Loraine is comprised of a main building including seven
bedrooms and a separate sleeping cottage or Bunkie. In total, there are beds for eighteen people. The Loraine property is an eleven-acre parcel on a forty-acre
island. The Loraine is the only
private property on the whole island. The rest of the island is vacant ‘crown land, that is
owned by Canada and is not available for sale or rent.
The main building includes a large stone fireplace, a six burner
dual oven Garland stove with a griddle, a gas refrigerator, two gas barbeques,
and a large screened porch around three sides of the building, accessed through
French doors from the kitchen, as well as the living room and outside deck.
There is a three-piece bath on the second floor, although guests are
asked not to overuse the old septic system as use of the ‘outhouse’
is encouraged – if not preferred for its view!
The dining room will accommodate 12-14 people comfortably, and there
is a large picnic table on the screened porch.
The Loraine faces south–west for lots of sunshine and beautiful
sunsets, with a view of the lighthouse in the background.
Two steel boats built in 2000, with 10 and 15 hp motors (2000
and 2002), and two new canoes (2002 and 2003) are available for exploring
the endless islands, inlets and outlets along the beautiful north–east
coast of Georgian Bay.
The Loraine has been used for family reunions, extended family’
vacations, a summer camp for children from Korea, academic and business management
retreats, and even a wedding that was highlighted in Cottage Life magazine!
Plenty of room is available along the 100+ foot dock for guests who
arrive by water, and a water taxi service is available at Wright’s
Marina for guests who arrive by road.
However, the Loraine is not for everyone. Apart from a small kitchen extension in
2000, it has been left virtually unchanged since it was originally constructed
in the early 1900’s. There
is no electricity, apart from the small gas generator used for the mandatory
‘grey’ (or ‘gray’) water pump outs, and other similar
tasks. The stove, fridge and main floor lighting run on propane gas.
There is no telephone, although analog cell phones (not provided) and,
of course, marine band VHF radios do work in the area.
The Loraine families and guests prefer the intimacy and authenticity
of the Loraine without the distractions of electric lights, televisions and
telephones. However, if you are looking for a cottage with the luxury of home, then the Loraine is not for you.