ELK RIDGE, Saskatchewan - When you turn off Highway 2 and onto the road that takes you to this place in the bush, your eyes are awakened by the vista laid out before you. The highway is bordered by deep green bush and tall pine and fir trees that have stood as sentinels for decades and decades. Deer with their fawns chewing grass in the ditches ignore the cars as they pass by and an occasional elk will be spotted, majestically standing aside the forest.
But is not until you make the turn into the Elk Ridge Resort that your senses spring alive and you feel as if you have entered a whole new world, one you never knew existed in this province.
That moment comes when you head left towards the resort, up a slight rise in the land, and there before your eyes stands one of the most magnificent lodges ever built. It sits overlooking 27 holes of golf that can't be surpassed for beauty and tranquility. And, throughout the area that is Elk Ridge are cabins that are for rent, huge houses, condos and townhouses. Elk Ridge wants to be known as a four-season resort, and it is getting there as word spreads about this vacation and residential jewel perched on the edge of the Prince Albert National Park and only 10 minutes away from the charming and enchanting Waskesiu.
The resort got its beginning in 1993 with the building of a 36-hole golf course. It's all, the whole complex is, a coming true of a dream held by a quiet yet determined man named Arne Petersen, who, by himself, is a story that needs to be told. A self-made man, this was his vision: To go into the bush, the deep thick bush, and carve out a wonderland that can be enjoyed by everyone.
It was at this resort in north of Saskatchewan that the staff and agents from EXIT Realty Fusion, Regina's fastest growing real estate company, found themselves on the weekend. EcoBrokerTM Loretta Hughes is big on two things: Training for her agents, and teamwork. "You can get to your destination a lot quicker if everybody is pulling in the same direction," she said. "And it's a lot easier if all of us get along, respect each other and are willing to help each other."
The training is something EXIT Realty Fusion never stops doing. And Loretta is a believer that agents and staff should get together away from the office and away from the city. So, last weekend they all headed up to Elk Ridge for what turned out to be a simply marvelous weekend. And, it wasn't all about training.
On Friday night, the EXIT folks attended "A Taste of Elk Ridge" wine and food event in the main lodge. There were people there from throughout the province and Alberta as well as Elk Ridge residents. The EXIT Realty Fusion people got to meet Arne Petersen, who thanked them all for coming, and made sure they were enjoying the rooms, cabins and condos they were staying in.
Saturday saw the office staff and agents, and their spouses and guests, attend a seminar in a building aside the golf course. It was conducted by a super trainer named Angel Tucker. Angel is a contract employee EXIT Realty International and conducts seminars throughout EXIT franchises in the United States and Canada. She spent much of Saturday talking and inter-acting with those in attendance about personality profiling, and those who were there said it was simply amazing. "It's the best thing I've ever been to. It will help me so much," said one agent.
Angel flew to Saskatchewan from her home in Valdosta, Georgia, of all places. Some might remember Valdosta as the home of Saskatchewan Roughrider receiving great Rhett Dawson, who teamed with the iconic Ron Lancaster to get the 1976 Riders to the Grey Cup game. Angel promised to wear the Saskatchewan Roughrider sweater she was given by EXIT Realty Fusion when she got home. Who knows, she might run into Rhett, and wouldn't that be a conversation?
Angel is one of the top training people in North America and is in constant demand. Her ability to teach while maintaining the attention of her audience is an amazing attribute. But that is what EXIT Realty is all about, getting amazing people to come together, learn and get better.
The weekend ended with a barbecue of pork chops and chicken at the cabin EXIT Realty Fusion owners Bob and Loretta Hughes rented for the weekend.
All in all, it was a special weekend for everybody, in both a professional and personal way. And, when they left for home on Sunday, they were wondering where next year's retreat would be held.
