CREDIT: MAJOR PROJECT: This artist’s rendering of a marina, proposed as part of a $300-million development on Pelee Island, was part of a June presentation to council by Pelee Development Interests. An American developer is proposing a 3,000-unit residential development with a 36-hole golf course and a 450-slip marina.

PELEE ISLAND - A $300-million residential development with 36 holes of golf and a marina is being proposed for Pelee Island.

The 20-year plan by an American developer includes two golf courses, a 450-slip marina and 3,000 residential units, including condominiums, townhouses and apartments at the south end of the island.

If approved and built, the project would double or triple the island's tax assessment and easily double the number of full-time jobs in Canada's southernmost community. The $300-million proposed investment is 100 times the township's annual $3-million budget.

"It's huge for the island," Mayor Rick Masse said Thursday.

Residents have heard talk of a golf course development for years and the proposal is being met with guarded optimism. Masse said the development, if built, would boost the ailing local tourism industry and help the island attract more families.

The island has been trying to increase its population of about 300 permanent residents and the jobs would definitely provide an impetus. The plans would increase the island's treed area to 30 per cent from 20 per cent, he said. The developer has indicated 30 per cent of the development would be left for natural areas. Masse cautioned the development is a proposal in a draft official plan. The island's new official plan has to be approved by a number of ministries in the provincial government, which could take until the beginning of next year.

"It's just a concept right now."

Pelee Township CAO Mike Galloway said the developer is looking at a 2009 start date. He said the developer has purchased 300 acres at the south end of the island and has an option to buy 150 to 200 more acres. The planning consultant working for the Ohio developer named Pete Restivo said it was premature to comment Thursday. Ricki Oltean, who owns Conorlee's Bakery and a bed and breakfast with her husband, said she's waiting to see if the golf course will be built.

"If it went through, it will be amazing for tourism."

Oltean, 24, lives on the island year-round and said the community needs more young families. The island has already held a public meeting on the official plan and Galloway said the reaction was "very positive." The development requires the official plan to change zoning from residential and agriculture to resort/residential, he said. The island will hold another public meeting this year.

"This is something that has been worked on for approximately the last two years," Galloway said.

A presentation by Pelee Development Interests from June included artist drawings of what was called Laguna Harbour but no conceptual drawings of the golf course. It said 135 permanent seasonal jobs and 46 off-season jobs could be created. The presentation estimated another 400 spinoff jobs could be created in the community. The island currently supports about 90 jobs.

According to Ron Tiessen, curator of the Pelee Island Heritage Centre, a century ago it was a bustling island with six or seven wineries and four schools. By the early 1920s, the island had about 1,000 residents. The island now has 300 permanent residents and one elementary school with 15 to 20 kids. The development, if approved and built, would give the island a chance to boost population without sacrificing its natural drawing card, Tiessen said.

"If these words become deeds there's no question there would be nothing in comparison to it in the last 120 years."