Eli Ruiz | Democrat State Senator John J. Bonacic (R-42nd, Mt. Kisco), far right, shovels some dirt at Friday’s groundbreaking of the Davos Resorts USA project in the Town of Fallsburg.

Health resort eyed at Davos property

Story by Eli Ruiz
WOODRIDGE — October 22, 2013 — At an “invitation only” luncheon Friday at Davos Ski Resort, the latest large-scale project proposed for the area was unveiled in a lavish ceremony culturally reflecting the mostly Chinese investors bankrolling the massive health spa project.
The so-called “shovel ready” Davos Resort USA endeavor will occupy approximately 300 of the 1,000 acres comprising the Davos district.
Besides the decidedly high-end catering provided for attendees – of which about 150 were expected, but closer to 300 actually attended – there was also a traditional “Lion Dance” put on by no less than four costumed performers. The Lion Dance is believed, in eastern tradition, to bring good fortune, and is generally performed at grand occasions, including at traditional, cultural and religious festivals, birthday celebrations, and wedding ceremonies.
As stated in an official press release on the project, Davos Resort USA is envisioned to be a national and international leader in healthy living. The project is projected to bring “much-needed jobs and tourist dollars into the region.”
In -fact, Allen Chiu, of the New York Federal Regional Center, LLC. (NYFRC), out of Queens, told the Democrat that the resort will bring as many as 1,000 jobs to the area – and those are just direct jobs.
“I’m projecting another at least 1,000 what are called spin-off jobs related to Davos Resort USA,” said Chiu. “That’s going to be about 2,000 jobs for an area that desperately needs them… you take American dream and combine it with Chinese dream and you have this.”
Several local dignitaries, including Sullivan County Legislative Chair Scott Samuelson, Town of Fallsburg Supervisor Steve Vegliante, in whose district the project will reside, State Senator John Bonacic and PR pro Christine Schiff, who was there in place of Congressman Chris Gibson who had a scheduling conflict, spoke at Friday’s event. Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther was also there in spirit through a representative.
Even New York City Councilman Peter Koo, from Flushing, made the trip upstate for the announcement. “I have to admit that I’m a little jealous today,” admitted Koo. “I would love to have something like this for my district.”
The spa and resort will specialize in holistic medicine and practices, including Complimentary Alternative Medicine (CAT), as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The site is expected to act as destination for regional, national and international tourists year-round.
Specifics of the project include a 200-room resort, conference center, restaurants, shops, a gym, a spa biosphere and water-park, organic greenhouses, and 18-hole golf- course and both indoor and outdoor recreational amenities.
The resort area of the sprawling Davos property, called the Big Vanilla from the 1960s to the 1980s, was a successful national ski resort destination and condominium complex. As with many other businesses nationwide, due to the U.S. economic downturn, the Big Vanilla shuttered.