By Linda Whitmore
The opening of the Oregon Garden Resort this month is foreseen by many to be a positive addition to the Silverton area – an economic boon that will ripple through retail businesses and create jobs for local residents.
Moonstone Properties’ newest resort has 102 guest rooms and a luxury suite, and a restaurant with cocktail lounge, large and small banquet and conference facilities and a full-scale spa. The resort has marketing outreach to draw visitors from throughout the world as well as from the region.
“We’re selling the destination,” said Lynda Gill, director of operations for Moonstone and general manager of the Oregon Garden Resort.
Applying the buzz word “staycation” – the current trend for staying close to home when taking a vacation – Gill said part of the outreach has been within the region encompassing Portland, Salem and the Willamette Valley.
Domestic tour companies have been contacted and “we are going after the international market – Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand. However, this takes a while to develop,” Gill said.
As well as hosting families on weeklong vacations and tour groups on overnight sight-seeking stops, the resort is a wedding venue – with as many as 12 ceremonies a weekend. The resort can accommodate group seminars and workshops that will draw hundreds of people to town. The largest event on the schedule has booked 92 rooms for two nights. Other workshops have schedules that last a week.
“I see the resort being an incredibly positive impact on Silverton – it’s the one component we’ve been missing to be a true visitor destination,” said Stacy Palmer, executive director of Silverton Area Chamber of Commerce. “We have amazing bed and breakfasts and a small local motel, but not the ability to lodge larger groups – until now! We also look forward to the convention groups that the resort will bring to our area, and the opportunity to introduce them to all the shops, restaurants and attractions here in Silverton.”
To meet the needs of the initial visitors, the Oregon Garden Resort has hired 30 full- and part-time employees. The initial staff includes four maintenance, four housekeeping, two laundry workers and the remainder in the restaurant, lounge, spa and reception area.
The job fair to fill the positions was attended by 300 people. “We looked for customer service experience,” said Gill. “We were amazed at the really qualified people who attended.”
Gill said initial hiring was “conservative” because the resort is opening at the beginning of the slower fall and winter season. She anticipates adding employees for the spring and summer season.
The ripple effect could reach The Oregon Garden about the same time. Increased attendance at the botanical garden may require more staffing, said April Purdy, The Oregon Garden’s executive director. “We are hoping to hire in the future, but will wait to see the increase in attendance before we add additional staff.”
Gill said the resort will purchase as many general supplies as can be obtained locally. This local focus has been noted at the governmental level.
“Moonstone is visible and involved in the community, and has demonstrated a willingness to work with local merchants on joint marketing ventures, and to ensure mutual sustainability,” said Bryan Cosgrove, Silverton city manager.
Beginning with construction of the resort facility, there has been an effort to hire workers from the region, Gill said. She cited the use of local subcontractors for excavating, electrical work and lumber products purchased in Silverton.
The desire to do business within the community includes local entertainers for the nightly shows and buying foods grown in the region to serve in the restaurant and banquet rooms. Executive Chef Jeff Nizlek, former owner of the Silver Grille, is drawing on his contacts with growers and suppliers. He will serve locally produced mustard, beer, sausage and barbecued ribs.
Even the art is local. Lunaria Gallery will mount a changing exhibit in the resort’s reception area and the Oregon Covered Bridge Society is providing photographs for the guests’ rooms.
City hall has recognized the anticipated multi-faced impact on the local economy.
“I believe the resort is a positive on every level,” said Cosgrove. “It will provide jobs for the community; it will help bring stability to The Oregon Garden; it will generate economic development opportunities for area businesses; it will provide added tax revenue to the city’s general fund, and if/when council takes action on the proposed TOT (transient occupancy tax) ordinance, it will provide additional revenue to promote the Garden, and Silverton.
“From my perspective, I view Moonstone as nothing but positive for the community.”
