Fluvanna hoping for boom from planned resort

Nearly half of the 64 condominium units proposed for a Fluvanna County resort have been sold even though construction has just begun, according to county officials and the developer.

Developers of the Rivanna Resort and Golf Club say they’ve also started redesign work of the adjacent Laurel Ridge Golf Course. They hope to have the resort open by late 2009 or early 2010.

“We’ve broken ground and are clearing the way for the foundation and we’ve brought in the golf course architect, who’s already working on a couple of holes,” said Mark Glickman, general manager for the resort. “There’s a lot of interest out there.”

Plans for the resort include the condominium units, which start at around $200,000, an 18-hole championship golf course, a 9-hole par-3 course along the Rivanna River, a spa, lodge, restaurant and bar, tennis courts, a nutrition center and an open-air art school.

The organization also has an agreement with the neighboring Camp Friendship for use of its 90-horse equestrian center, including indoor and outdoor riding rinks.

County officials herald the development because it creates additional tax revenues while costing very little in added services. Chris Fairchild, of the county’s economic development commission, said the resort is the best kind of development for Fluvanna.

“Tourism is one of the best developments to have because guests utilize existing services without adding additional costs,” Fairchild said. “Existing businesses are likely to see the benefit, there are no costs associated with the schools and infrastructure is already there.”

The condos start at about $200,000, according to Glickman. Add the price to the amenities and all of that to the location — within driving distance of Washington, close to Richmond and near the University of Virginia — and many people see the resort as a bargain.

“Considering the current climate, for this kind of development it’s a good time to buy because the price-point is good and people are being conscious about how much money they spend,” Glickman said. “It’s a perfect ‘staycation’ location. It’s close to Interstate 64 so it’s easy to get to and in an area where there are a lot of activities.”

Owner Phil Carrow said in a prepared statement that more people are saving money by scaling back vacations.

“There is definitely a trend toward people staying closer to home for their family or romantic getaway,” he said. “We’ve also had people tell us that, because [the resort] is so convenient, it also becomes a great place for their friends and family to enjoy when they come to the Charlottesville area for a visit.”

Fairchild said the resort will be surrounded by the golf course and rural property, maintaining the bucolic nature of the area.

“It provides both preservation of the county’s rural nature and economic development,” Fairchild said. “It’s hard to argue with that.”