Our story and why we love what we do!
Article written by: Traci Wilson
Featured November 2019
In one of the earliest issues of Herrington Lake Living, we featured a story about the Sunset Lodge, and how Joyce and Harold Robinson came to Kentucky in 1962, with the dream of combining what they loved (the water) with their goal of owning a business. In all, they operated the Sunset Lodge for nearly 19 years, and what they loved most about it was bringing families back to Herrington Lake and the lodge, year after year.
Now, nearly 60 years later, Cheryl and Troy Montgomery are bringing to fruition a similar dream of owning a business on Herrington Lake, and coincidentally it's in close proximity to where the Sunset Lodge once stood. They're calling it the Sunrise Over Herrington Lake Resort.
The Montgomery's received their inspiration for building the Lake Resort back when they were dating. "We went to a resort with one of my best friends from college," said Cheryl. "It was her parents' place in Brookville, Indiana, called Brookville Lake Resort."
"This was one of the coolest places that Troy and I had ever been," she elaborated. "There were some campers, but most of the people that had a place there had really nice small, modular homes. The resort had a pool and a clubhouse, it had a playground, volleyball court, basketball court, and pavilion. Everyone owned a golf cart and would drive around and visit with their friends."
Their friend's grandparents had a place there as well, along with other family members, and according to Cheryl, it was the perfect little 'getaway' destination. "We visited there several times over the years and loved it more each time we went."
Both Cheryl and Troy camped quite a lot as children, and have shared their love of camping with their children, Lainey, age 9 & Luke, age 7. Troy, who grew up in Nicholasville but moved to Garrard County when he was 16 "enjoyed going to the lake as a young adult, boating, swimming, and fishing." His family used to camp and boat on Laurel Lake when he was a young child.
Cheryl grew up in Breckinridge County on a 200 acre farm, and would occasionally go to Rough River Lake to swim, but didn't really grow up on the water. She and Troy met her senior year of college at EKU, and moved to Garrard County after marrying. It was then that they started going to the various marinas on Herrington Lake when they would have live bands, and "really started loving the lake."
Four years ago, they build a house in Woodlawn Estates on Peninsula Golf Course. "We had outgrown our starter home after having two children and were looking to expand," said Troy. After enjoying a pontoon that they had purchased in 2014 and spending time on the water, they decided to build in a neighborhood on the lake.
"We actually live on the golf course side," they said, "but since the neighborhood has a boat dock, we just ride the golf cart down to the dock and hop on the boat anytime. We really enjoy going out on the lake with our children and friends."
"We usually go out for most of the day, meet up with some friends, then go out to eat at Sunset Marina for dinner," Troy and Cheryl said when asked about their 'lake life'. "That is how we started to get to know John and Tona Tudor (owners of Sunset Marina)," they said. Troy also enjoys bass fishing and fishes a lot of the bass tournaments on the lake.
Cheryl, who works as the Senior Accounting Manager at RJ Corman Railroad Group, spoke about having worked in an office for many years. "Although I have enjoyed working as an Accountant for the past 14 years, and have been blessed to have come so far in the business world," she said, "I feel like us building the Lake Resort will allow me to be outdoors again like I have always wanted."
Troy, who owns his own business, Bluegrass Outdoor Creations, does concrete construction as well as other hardscapes and outdoor projects. Together, they also own some boat storage units and billboards on US 27.
But, the dream that they have harbored for 12 years - of owning and operating a lakeside resort - is finally and quickly becoming a reality.
"The construction of the lake resort is in full swing," Troy said. "We are almost finished putting in the water lines, electric, and septic system for full sewer hookup. The first phase, which will be up and running April 1, 2020, will consist of 50 sites, a basketball court, and playground, as well as a pavilion and community fire pit area overlooking the lake." The Lake Resort is on 14 acres and has over 800 ft. of lake view.
"We plan to host some fun events," added Cheryl, "such as karaoke, live music on Holiday weekends, and potlucks at the pavilion area. We will also have boat/rv storage units available."
In Phase II, they plan to build a pool and clubhouse. The plan for the clubhouse is to have a small store to provide some camping necessities such as ice, firewood, and, of course, ingredients for s'mores.
"It really feels like I personally have come full circle because my experience has allowed me to learn how to keep the books and has given me the confidence to be comfortable running this business along with our other two businesses," said Cheryl. "It's amazing how things always seem to work out how they were intended," she said, "even when you don't realize it at the time."
She looks forward to having a more flexible schedule with the Lake Resort and being allowed to spend more time with her children. "As a bonus," she said, "it will allow me to be outdoors enjoying the sunshine."
Already, they've received a great deal of support from the lake community. "We've had so many people tell us how excited they are for us," they said. "We really have had a wonderful response already and only have around 12 sites left available." In particular, they expressed their fondness of John and Tona Tudor. "They are wonderful people and we look forward to working with them in the future with our Lake Resort being so close to the marina."
Troy, a history buff by nature, is looking forward to adding to the history of Herrington Lake with the Resort, much like the Robinsons added with the Sunset Lodge. "We are truly blessed for this wonderful opportunity," they said, "and cannot wait to see what the future has in store for us."
"We hope you'll join us next summer," they expressed. "Come meet us at Sunrise!"
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