I found some cracked clay at the former Prudhomme's site. One can see the lake there now. This is temporary, but I don't see a timeline for when the large - really large - residential/commercial development will start.
The tract of land stretches from Victoria Ave in Vineland to the edge of the Jordan Harbour where Lake House Restaurant is. It seems to exclude the Lake House restaurant in the descriptions. This was originally Colonel J. Butler land - granted after the war of 1812.
I can imagine how many people are planned for such a large area. Grimsby's Casablanca area development will add 6,000 people in a much smaller stretch along the lake. Lincoln and Vineland populations will grow significantly with this addition.
Prudhomme's was a Niagara landmark for decades. The Prudhomme resort, which started as a 16-room motel in 1949, blossomed into a 1,000-seat summer theatre that doubled as a curling rink in the winter. Stars like Eva Gabor, Eve Arden and John Forsythe appeared in the theatre’s week-long productions.
I found a few pictures on the internet - the first showing the 'garden centre' at its height. The second shows the results of a 1971 fire that destroyed the Olympic-sized swimming pool, bowling, alley, and arcade.
There was a waterpark until 2002 and it is pictured here along with lost Crystal Beach and Maple Leaf Village.
So our pictures contrast our June Fun run with some of the hotel showing in the background with what is there now - almost nothing.
The plans are underway for what will arise next as the land has been purchased. This is the most significant development site in the Niagara region - on the water with QEW access and 80 acres - very large.
