Friends Shelby Mitchell, left, and Whitney Newell, both of Norway, share a laugh while floating peacefully one August 2020 morning on Pennesseewassee Lake in Norway. “It’s such a lovely day to have the lake all to ourselves,” Mitchell said as they and another person enjoyed the calm off the town beach at Lake Pennesseewassee Park. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal file
NORWAY — A local businessman and landscaper has submitted plans to redevelop the site of a former corn canning facility on Pennesseewassee Lake and turn it into a four-season entertainment, event and outdoor sporting venue.
Called Lakeside Norway, the 6.64-acre lot is at 61 Lake Road and 0 Lake Road, which is Routes 117 and 118. It was once the home of C.B. Cummings Mill and the Norway Packing Co. and sits along 1,400 feet of lake frontage on the eastern bay of Pennesseewassee Lake. There are seven buildings on the property, which is within the Downtown Gateway Area.
The plans include hosting entertainment events, such as live music, festivals, outdoor films and live theater, comedy, meet and greets, educational activities and four-season outdoor recreation such as kayaking and ice skating. The Norway Brewing Co. will move its brewing operation to the corn shop warehouse on site and open a small tasting room on site.
Lakeside Norway will also offer a venue for weddings and other events.
Jason Shiers, who owns Pleasant Hill Property Services, a boutique landscaping business, heads a team of local investors who have purchased the property. The property owner group, Left Turn Enterprises, was founded by Shiers, who also is the director of operations and business development for Lakeside Norway. His partners include Charles Melhus of the Norway Brewing Co.; Vaughn Clark, co-owner of Mt. Abram Ski Area; and Colin and Melissa Ulen, who moved to Norway two years ago. Colin is senior director of engineering at alarm.com while Melissa is senior manager of operations for Ropes & Gray in Boston.
Amy Bell Segal, a landscape architect for Sebago Technics of South Portland, represented the group and presented a preliminary plan for Lakeside Norway to the Norway Planning Board last month.
“It may be scaled back, but we want to put forward what we think the potential could be,” Segal told the Planning Board.
Plans call for 4 of the 6.64 acres to be developed and adding 67 parking spaces for vehicles and buses for a total of 114 spaces. The parking lot will be at least 50 feet from the shoreline. The entrance and exit to Lake Road will be reconstructed and will require permits from the Maine Department of Transportation. A trail on the former access road will lead to downtown for pedestrians and bicyclists.
To address stormwater and phosphorus runoff, the group must submit a Site Location of Development Act permit through the Maine Department of Environment Protection. The methods expected to be used include meadow basins, permeable pavers, biofiltration systems and drip edge filters.
The new parking lot will also be tiered to direct water into an upper and lower basin for double filtration.
The site renovations will rely on the design and engineering expertise of Sebago Technics, utilizing the best practices for erosion control, shoreland stabilization and green infrastructure.
Among the lofty goals of the investors are adventure and adaptive racing, water and winter activities, biking, live entertainment and festivals. They hope to partner with several organizations to bring various activities and entertainment options.
Segal told the Planning Board she will return with a more detailed plan once permits and site planning are complete.
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