Rosario has been purchased by an Anacortes-based, family-owned investment and development group with deep roots in the San Juans. The group took over the resort on November 17th from Olympus Real Estate Partners of Dallas, TX, who bought the resort in 1998 and closed the resort on October 20th.

“We are excited to be the owners and caretakers of Rosario,” states Jerrel Barto, who along with his son Craig Barto, are the principles in the new ownership group called Rosario Signal LLC. “As Fidalgo Island residents and boaters in the San Juans, we’ve always loved the islands and understand Rosario’s importance to the region. We look forward to working with the Orcas Island community to help Rosario reach its potential under the Resort’s approved Master Plan. Restoring the Moran/Rosario legacy will be a project to be proud of.”

Rosario Signal LLC also includes Managing Partner Nels Strandberg of Strandberg Construction in Anacortes, who spent his childhood on Lopez Island, and Christopher Collins, Vice President of Development, a former manager of Deer Harbor Marina. The company has appointed Rosario Resort‚Äôs former Director of Marketing Christopher Peacock as the General Manager to oversee the property during redevelopment. “The new owners have taken over a closed resort and at this point there is no timeline for reopening’” Peacock said. “With the current economic climate and overall condition of the resort facilities, it is the perfect time to begin planning for the redevelopment and restoration of the property. This will be a time consuming process that will no doubt have an impact on the local economy in the short term, but taking this time to make Rosario a viable year round business will be very beneficial in the long run.”

Rosario Signal LLC also plans to continue working with Mike Usen, Senior Planner for SE Group of Bellevue, WA, leader of the Master Plan process since 2000. “I am excited to begin the implementation process and maintain the integrity of the Master Plan’s vision that was approved by San Juan County in 2007,” states Usen.

Jerry’s son Craig Barto, President of their company Signal Hill Petroleum, Inc. believes “supporting a community takes more than just bricks and mortar; it requires a rock-solid commitment to helping those around you. Our companies have displayed this commitment through our support of charitable and cultural organizations.”