Fern Resort hosts conferences, retreats, training days and group stays, with seven meeting rooms that range from a 16-seat boardroom to a conference center for 324 guests theater style. The resort sits on close to two kilometers of Lake Couchiching shoreline in Ramara Township, Ontario, near Orillia, and presents itself as an all-inclusive resort, which simplifies the budget for a multi-day group.
Seminars and company events
The resort has a meetings, retreats and conferences offer, a request-for-proposal process and a group sales line. Bergwen's Conference Centre, 80 by 66 feet, seats 324 theater style, 312 cabaret and 148 classroom, and has an 800-square-foot stage, a sound booth, a projector and an 8 by 7 foot screen. Mary Lou's, 75 by 56 feet, takes 230 theater style, 200 cabaret or 200 for a reception, with a small stage, a built-in bar and a snack bar. These two rooms carry plenary sessions, awards nights and team dinners, while the smaller rooms serve as breakouts.
Rooms and capacities
The Huronia Room, 31 by 53 feet, seats 100 theater style, 60 classroom and 40 in a U-shape, with a screen and whiteboard on two walls. The Simcoe Room, 27 by 41 feet, takes 75 theater, 50 classroom, 30 U-shape or 20 boardroom. Fireside 110/108, 29 by 28 feet, has a balcony and takes 50 theater, 30 classroom or 24 U-shape. Main Inn 420, 26 by 35 feet, holds 50 theater, 20 classroom or 16 boardroom. The Mara Boardroom, 16 by 26 feet, seats 16 with a 75-inch wall-mounted screen. Huronia, Simcoe and Mara open through patio doors.
Every room comes with a screen or TV, speakers, microphones, a speakerphone and flip charts with easels. Coffee, tea, soft drinks and water are served continuously as part of the AV package, with house-made treats for breaks.
Accommodation
Groups stay on site, and the resort manages room blocks through its group booking service. Its history timeline mentions 104 guest rooms in 1995; ask for the current count when you request a proposal.
Catering
The resort sells an all-inclusive formula. Beverage service is built into the meeting packages, Huronia, Simcoe and Mara have their own beverage stations, and Mary Lou's has a bar and a snack bar for evening events. Ask the group sales team which meals are included for your program.
History and setting
The story starts with Fern Cottage, a cabin recorded in 1867. In 1894 Mrs. McBain began welcoming summer guests, and the resort grew from there. The Pettapiece family took over in 1918, followed by the Rumble and Downing families, whose descendants are now the fourth and fifth generations at the resort. The waterfront has a ski dock, and a skating trail is laid out in winter, which gives groups outdoor options in every season.
Getting there
The resort is at 4432 Fern Resort Road, Ramara, a short drive east of Orillia. Toronto is roughly 90 minutes by car via Highway 400 and Highway 11, and Toronto Pearson International Airport is the nearest major airport. Most groups arrive by car or chartered coach.
