New resort owners vow to give Midge Point luxurious facelift

NEW owners of Laguna Quays Resort have vowed to give the former ritzy tourism hot spot an overdue make over with hopes for a new wave of health tourism.

NEXT year there will be a construction boom in Midge Point.

Laguna Quays Resort's new owners Fullshare Industrial Holding Group have confirmed they will ramp up revitalisation work next year.

During the 1990s guests had to pay $275 a night to stay in a standard room at the ritzy resort, but in recent times the once-luxurious complex looks more like it is out of a scene from the movie Jumanji.

Over the years shrubbery has been left to grow uncontrollably and now climbs up the resorts biggest buildings.

One of the pools at Laguna Quay which has been unused for some time.

Project manager Shane Barrett said developers have started to plan for first stage of the project.

"We are planning to start the first stage development of Laguna next year that include refurbishing the existing Hotel (the Lodge), Golf Club, upgrading of the existing Golf Course and Beach Club, as well as dredging the Marina," he said.

In the coming weeks the Fullshare team will meet with Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Regional Office and the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning to discuss the master plan adjustment.

In 1992, the resort employed 230 people, including 20 greens keepers.

Turtle Point Golf Course (Laguna Quays Resort) when it was in pristine condition. Picture: Tony Martin

Mackay Tourism general manager Stephen Schwer said he was pleased a reputable company would look after the upgrades.

"It is a good asset, a good company, which has an established reputation," he said.

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Deirdre Comerford, who met with the managing director Mr Yi Yu in Cairns this week, believed the company's focus on health tourism would ensure its sustainability.

She said this was highly sought-after by Asian tourists.

"I am also pleased Fullshare has given a commitment to use local suppliers and local companies to carry out their redevelopment," Cr Comerford said.

She met with Mr Yi Yu and Mr Changqun JI, of Fullshare, when in Beijing on the Premier's Trade and Investment Mission to China and Japan.

Laguna Quays has now become overgrown.

Mr Barrett said that more information on the future of Laguna Quays Resort will be provided on the completion of the meeting with Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday Regional Council, and DSDIP.

Timeline

1992: Opening of $250 million Laguna Quays Resort

1992: The resort had 230 employees, which included 20 green-keepers, and charged $275 a night for one standard room

1993: 70-berth marina opened

1995: Resort went into receivership, with debts up to $200 million

2009: Mackay Regional Council auctioned parts of the precinct to recoup about $2.1 million in unpaid rates

2010: $290,000 rates bill believed unreasonable by resort

2012: Termination letters delivered to employees

2012: Mackay Regional Council remained out-of-pocket about $1 million unpaid rate fees

2013: Resort sells to company Fullshare Holdings Group

2015: First stage developments confirmed for early 2016

Originally published as New resort owners vow to give Midge Point luxurious facelift