Living the dream

Ward family celebrates 30 years of County hospitality

Victor and Jennie Ward were living, working and raising their young family in Detroit Michigan in the early 80s. But Vic had had a life long dream of owning and operating a summer resort—something he could do with his growing boys Tim and Stephen.

In 1983 Vic and Jennie bought 900 acres of land on Salmon Point in Prince Edward County and soon after opened Quinte Isle Campark. Sadly just two years later Vic passed away. He was just 50 years old.

Tim was in 14, his first year of high school. It was up to him and Stephen to realize their dad’s dream.

Nearly thirty years later Quinte Isle Campark is a 5-star resort—featuring more than 300 seasonal sites— hosting three-season cottages and trailers. The resort also offers equal number of serviced and unserviced lots sites for campers and RVs.

On Saturday they hosted a celebration to recognize their customers and pay tribute to their dad’s dream.

In keeping with their dad’s vision—the boys, Tim and Stephen, have continually reinvested in the facilities and amenities for their guests and clientele. A newly renovated pool and splash park provides a centerpiece to the property—a mix of woods, open areas and lakeside waterfront. The resort also features horseback riding, tennis and on 975 acres.

Bill Thompson owns a cottage at Quinte Isle Campark and spends every minute he can there. He says it is the friendliness and helpfulness of the Ward family that makes the resort special.

“They are just great people,” said Thompson.

Details are important says Tim Ward.

“We are very hands on,” said Tim. “This is a family oriented business and it is important to us to be on-site to serve the needs of our guests.”

That commitment shows in the fact the resort employs about 30 people many of whom have been with the Ward family for a decade or more.

“We have great people,” said Tim. “That makes a big difference.”

In recent years the Wards have expanded their business into selling and servicing trailers and cottages. As a distributor of Northlander Cottages Quinte Isle sells cottages to customers in the resort and elsewhere. The Wards are also dealers of Innsbruck trailers as well as an array of used models.

Vic Ward would be impressed how his dreamed turned out. His boys too.