Potential Dialogue Center

Peter Nixon, international author, trainer, and founder of Potential Dialogue is renovating his family’s ancestral vacation home into a retreat center for international leadership teams, families, and individuals committed to achieving optimal outcomes through dialogue and negotiation.

Peter’s 18-acre property gives guests a unique opportunity to explore aspects of change in a beautiful and peaceful lakeside environment while in dialogue with themselves, each other, nature, and other guests in residence or visiting for the day. The property sits at the tip of a quiet bay with neighbours (multi-generational friends) only slightly visible. Wildlife including deer, squirrels, birds, fish, and more are abundant. The Center offers traditional Laurentian experiences including water sports, forest walks, and quiet times in the gardens, on the wharf or veranda, and corners of the “Griffith Lodge” aka “The Big House”.

The Center is normally open between June and October when the Laurentians are amongst the most beautiful regions in the world. Summer temperature normally vary between10C - 30C. Beautiful sunsets are a nightly affair.

Peter and other Potential Dialogue consultants are available to facilitate dialogue and provide coaching, training, and consulting for guests and groups onsite.

If you are interested in experiencing traditional Canadian cottage life, witness first-hand the beauty of the Laurentians, or recharge, reconnect, and relaunch, a unique experience awaits you at the Potential Dialogue Center.

Facilities

Inspired by the now defunct Laurentian Lodge Ski Club, a private club in the Laurentians that hosted Canada’s original cross country and alpine ski enthusiasts, the Center is renovating in advance of its 100th anniversary and hard launch. At present we offer 3 bedrooms in the Lodge, another in the Icehouse, and additional space in the large loft in the new garage. More tiny homes in the forest are planned.

The Griffith Lodge

A 100-year-old four-bedroom bungalow featuring a large living room/dining room, a wrap-around veranda, and a modern kitchen.

• Cedar Room (Sleeps 2) Queen bed

• Corner Room (Sleeps 3) 1 bunk bed and 1 double bed;

• Master Bedroom (Sleeps 3) not available;

• Back room (Sleeps 1) one single bed.

• 2 Bathrooms, 1 Shower

The Icehouse

One of Canada’s last remaining “Ice Houses”. Built with 9-inch walls to insulate the blocks of ice that provided refrigeration in the summer months at the start of the last century. The Icehouse was decommissioned in the 1950’s when hydroelectricity arrived at the Lake. It was then converted into a chalet featuring two bedrooms, a small living room and a kitchenette. The Icehouse is undergoing a second renovation and when it reopens it will feature:

• 1 Bedroom (Sleeps 3)

• Kitchenette

• Small living room

• 1 Bathroom

There are plenty of other spaces to sleep either in the large new garage loft (bring an air mattress) or outdoors (bring a tent).

The Center has plenty of parking and other facilities including a large self-serve kitchen, fireplace, indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, walking trails, table tennis, badminton net, social games, lake access, BBQ pit, lake, forest, wildlife, silence, stars, gardening, garden, fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, music and more.

The Center’s flotilla includes an old cedar canoe, double kayak, single kayak, Laser, windsurfer, and inflatables. Paddle boards and a motorboat are planned.

Reservations

If you want to recharge, reconnect, relaunch by experiencing traditional Canadian cottage life and the beauty of the Laurentians, a unique experience awaits you at the Center. Whether you stay a few hours, a few days, a few weeks, or the entire season, you will depart positively impacted by the magic combination of nature, dialogue, and community.