Laura was studying mathematics at SUNY Potsdam Todd, a native of Fairport two years ahead, graduated from Clarkson University with a degree in industrial distribution that year.
It was 1990 when Laura and Todd met in Potsdam, briefly socializing as friends. ► Wild idea: Natalie Payne pushes for Finger Lakes Museum. Laura learned about hard work, caring for others and appreciating animals from helping on their farm. Reluctant to discuss childhood details, she describes her grandparents as her touchstones. “Water brings people together,” she said.
Ironically, part of what defines Laura Cook is her love of Canandaigua Lake and the lake-inspired hospitality culture she knew growing up in Lake George. Local newspaper coverage followed the growing debate: Would Everwilde enhance or disrupt the neighborhood’s rural characteristics? And what about the environmental impact to the lake? She said Everwilde’s proximity to Bristol Harbour, Heron Hill and Arbor Hill wineries and Bristol Mountain would round out the offerings in the area, attracting quality, high-income visitors while providing amenities residents could enjoy.īut when the South Bristol Planning Board considered the Everwilde proposal, requiring rezoning from R-3 (Residential) to PD (Planned Development), people in the community began drawing lines in the sand. President Valerie Knoblauch, in a letter to the town, said Everwilde would be a major tourism asset, noting visitors covet lake access and vistas. The new proposed location got an early thumbs-up from Finger Lakes Visitors Connection. “Please immediately discontinue any work with Labella Associates in connection with the Everwilde Inn & Spa Project, have the final LaBella invoice for the Project delivered to the Cooks, and refund to the Cooks any excess funds held in the escrow account for the Project after final payment to LaBella,” the letter concluded.Wegman, who co-chairs the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council, said in a public meeting and letter to the Town Board that he saw Everwilde’s potential for jobs, quality of life, business investment in New York and tax revenue. Rezoning would have been required on the property to move the project forward, which would have been subject to a final public hearing in the coming months. Therefore, the Cooks no longer deem it a wise use of time, effort, and resources to continue pursuing a commercial endeavor in a community where commercial enterprise is seemingly not welcomed or valued,” the letter added. “However, it has been made increasingly apparent, both by Town officials and members of the community, that the Town does not support the Everwilde vision. “As detailed over the past six years that the application has been pending before the Town, the Cooks’ vision of the Everwilde project was a destination inn, spa, and banquet facility nestled into the existing landscape with a state-of-the-art green roof and other environmentally sensitive features, providing a beautiful and serene retreat for special events and daytrips alike, with lakefront access and amenities allowing patrons of all abilities the option to enjoy the views and recreational opportunities that Canandaigua Lake has to offer, all while permanently preserving as undisturbed land more than 20 acres of the approximately 45 acre property,” the letter read. The news came in a letter sent to officials in Bristol announcing the withdrawal. Town Supervisor Dan Marshall said he accepted that decision, but the news came as a massive surprise to the community at-large. The project was controversial, with plenty of opposition. It was a matter of months away from being subject to a final public hearing, which could have resulted in the project being green-lit. Now, Todd and Laura Cook, the duo behind the proposed Everwilde Inn & Spa project in South Bristol has been shut down.
First they announced that the Bristol Harbour resort would be shut down.