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Lou Biffis honoured with a Star on the Italian Walk of Fame
June 27, 2013 · 0 Comments
On Saturday, June 15, Mr. Lou Biffis, President and Founder of the Nottawasaga Resort, was officially inducted into and received a permanent star on the Italian Walk of Fame; right between Connie Francis and Giancarlo Giannini. Biffis, along with Jennifer Dale, Robert Davi and John Saxon, were recognized for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the Italian community.
Lou Biffis, a spirited leader who spent over 40 years developing and fulfilling his dreams, is known for both his corporate successes (the Nottawasaga Resort and the Green Briar, Briar Hill and Treetops housing developments) and his philanthropic work through the Nottawasaga Foundation. Shortly after emigrating to Canada in 1953 with nothing but his skills as a young carpenter and $5.00 in his pocket, Lou put his expertise to work right away starting his first enterprise, a very small multi-trade construction operation. In 1960, after building some homes and commercial projects in Toronto, he acquired and operated the first nursery sod farm in Ontario near Alliston, while continuing to expand his construction and development interests. The Alliston area sod farm soon evolved into the focal point of Lou’s entrepreneurial skills as he appreciated the natural beauty of the Nottawasaga River Valley and envisioned its recreational potential.
With an inherent ability to communicate with others and challenge them to achieve extraordinary results, he spearheaded a team to develop and realize his vision. A very good friend bet Lou one bottle of Canadian Club whiskey that he could not obtain a liquor licence from the former township of Tecumseth, which had been dry since 1907. Not one to easily lose a bet, Lou went to work on a petition for a liquor plebiscite. Lou won with a landslide majority allowing alcohol sales in the area. Since opening its doors in 1968, the Nottawasaga Resort has grown from a 40 room property into an integrated yet self-sufficient destination uniting a landmark Hotel, Recreation Facility, 2 NHL sized Arenas, World Class Soccer Fields, 45 Holes of Golf, and adult-lifestyle communities. The Nottawasaga Resort’s unique complex is a testimony to Lou’s capacity for hands on work, vision, persistence, integrity and discipline. These skills also enabled Lou to overcome many daunting challenges as well as financial hardships and constraints. As each obstacle has arisen, Lou has provided unique solutions which not only met but exceeded requirements and resulted in enhancements of human and natural conditions.
Beyond his corporate work, Lou has been and continues to be an active supporter of his community. His involvement includes not only financial support but emotional and physical support by way of offering his expertise, knowledge, manpower, equipment and time. In 2001, Biffis expanded his scope of community work by founding the Nottawasaga Foundation, which since its inception, has raised over $3.9 million dollars for local charities and community programs in Simcoe County.
Biffis says he is proud to be a part of a community that came to Canada with nothing and built a small empire. “It takes a lot of courage and a lot of focus to be successful,” Biffis said after recounting a story of coming to Canada and selling his own shoes to survive before creating the Nottawasaga Resort, north of Toronto.
Established in 2009, the Italian Walk of Fame is appropriately located in the heart of downtown Toronto’s famed tourist destination know as “Little Italy” and within the city that is home to the largest community of Italians outside of Italy. Stars, honouring deserving individuals of Italian origin, are placed permanently and prominently in the sidewalk and unveiled annually during a red carpet ceremony in Little Italy on College Street.
For more information visit www.ItalianWalkOfFame.com or www.NottawasagaResort.com
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