The first phase of the project, valued at $150 million, willinvolve the demolition of one of the buildings that make up thecurrent 1,200-room hotel complex. Several other adjoiningstructures will be stripped down to the bare steel and thenrebuilt. This phase of the overall $500 million master plan is totransform the 1,600-acre property into a luxury hotel, conventioncenter and resort spa.

"The Concord has a history steeped in tradition," says Louis R.Cappelli, managing partner in Concord Associates, the developer forthe new Concord Resort and Convention Center. "Thousands of peopleof all ages have fond memories of the hotel and the enjoyable timesthey had here. The Concord enjoyed a well-earned reputation as thebiggest and the best resort hotel of its day. Virtually every majorentertainer performed here during its heyday. We intend not only tokeep this sense of history alive, but also to create a new, modern,full-service luxury hotel, convention center and resort spa. TheConcord Resorts at Kiamesha Lake will once again emerge as a majorfour-season resort and residential community." Concord Associatesis a joint venture of Cappelli Enterprises of Valhalla and RecksonStrategic Venture Partners LLC. The joint venture also owns anotherCatskill hotel--the Grossinger Country Club.

Phase one of the project will take 20 months to complete andwill include: a 525-room hotel, an 85,000-sf exhibition, conventionand meeting facility that will also feature a ballroom, diningrooms, restaurants and a 25,000-sf Imperial Theater with seatingfor 2,400. The hotel complex already features the infamous Monstergolf course as well as the International 18-hole course and anine-hole course. At the end of phase one other recreationalamenities will include: a golf school/tennis academy, eight indoortennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball courts and a bowlingalley. The plan also calls for a health club and spa as well as a250-car parking garage and 700 additional spaces.