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Rondeau is more than a destination. It is a long-standing seasonal community shaped by shared history, family traditions, and a deep connection to the park.

Our community includes cottagers, neighbours, local businesses, volunteers, and visitors who all play a role in maintaining the character of Rondeau. While many cottages have been part of families for generations, new cottagers continue to join the community each year, adding fresh energy and perspective.

Here you will find information about the people, places, and connections that make up the Rondeau cottage community.

Watercolour Spring in Rondeau by cottager John Semple

Bayview Market

Mike and Tina Rutledge are the purveyors of the Bayview Market – the convenience store of choice for all cottagers. The store has everything you need, like milk, fresh baking, pantry staples, bird seed, flip flops, delicious ice cream cones and souvenirs. Bike rentals are also available, and many times there are fresh in-season veggies. There is also an LCBO outlet inside, which sure comes in handy when you arrive at the lake on a Friday afternoon! The Bayview also offers Open Mic entertainment on Sunday evenings hosted by Dan “Sweet Corn” Davidson. Most of the staff here are cottage youth, so drop by and say hello as often as you can!

Winter Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 9am-6pm.

Summer Hours: Daily 9am-9pm.

519-674-2977

Rondeau Joes

Paul Trudell opened up Rondeau Joe’s in 2009 and since has made significant upgrades in the kitchen, building and the adjacent marina. It is hard to find a seat most summer weekends because the pub is so popular with campers, hikers, birders and, well, pretty much anyone who likes a good time with a side of waffle-cut fries. But don’t worry, because Rondeau Joes also has a large patio by the water’s edge offering some of the best sunsets over Rondeau Bay. Thursdays are Rib Nights and their fresh Lake Erie perch and pickerel are always on the menu, with local craft brews on tap. Call ahead to reserve a table on busy weekends. Opens on the first Friday of May until after Labour Day. Hours vary.

Open: May to mid-September
519-674-0006

Coco Craft Kitchen

CocoTay Catering is a Chatham Kent Catering business based in Rondeau and run by two cottagers who love to cook and serve up delicious meals for any occasion. They have diverse options and will work with you to create the perfect menu for your party, shower, lunch meeting or dinner. Find them on Facebook or call or text your inquiries.

[email protected]
647-899-1653

John and Grace Price

John is known affectionately to the cottage community as our watch dog, local historian and steward of all things Rondeau. But he pays his bills by doing yard maintenance (spring and fall clean up) and grass cutting. He also does painting, general repairs, junk removal, off season cottage checks, and he and his wife Grace excel in superb cottage cleaning. Best of all, he does all this with a smile. We love John and Grace to bits and are happy to feature them on this page.

[email protected]
226 627-5819

Welcome New Cottagers!

Congratulations on your recent cottage purchase, and welcome to Rondeau! Our cottage community has been a family tradition and summer destination for over 100 years. You’re going to love it here!

The RCA was founded in 1928 as the Rondeau Park Leaseholders Association. We are recognized by the Province of Ontario as one of three stakeholders in Rondeau, along with Ontario Parks and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. Membership is entirely voluntary; members must be cottage owners within the park and pay an annual membership fee. Over 90% of all leaseholders are RCA members. Our “Prime Directive” is to secure the permanency of our unique-in-Ontario cottage community.

The RCA is run by a volunteer Board of Directors elected annually by the membership…

  • President: Dr. W. David Colby (Chatham)
  • Vice-President: Brian K. French (Chatham)
  • Secretary: Dr. Mike Newell (Chatham)
  • Treasurer: Beverly Brown, CPA CGA (Kitchener)
  • Directors at Large: Candice Barlow, John Ceccacci, Elizabeth Cooper, Len Copeland, Dennis Crevits, Keith Graham, Trevor Mapplebeck, Steven Schondorf, Garnet Smith, Rob van deel Piepers, Heather Whittington

The RCA’s part-time Office Manager, Mary Margaret McDonald,  oversees our membership roster and day-to-day financials including processing membership fee payments over the phone.

Our Annual General Meeting is normally held the first Sunday in July at the Morpeth Community Hall. Only current members are permitted to attend the AGM. The annual membership fee is $175 per cottage no matter how many family members own or share it. Our only significant annual expenses are legal and lobbying costs towards our “Prime Directive” for the benefit of our membership.

The RCA maintains a website and a Facebook page. We also email RCA Bulletins to all members occasionally as circumstances warrant. Please ensure you submit any email address changes to us ASAP. Contact information including our office telephone number is listed on the get in touch page.

We hope this short introduction to the RCA has been helpful, and we hope you will consider joining your new Rondeau neighbours as members of the Rondeau Cottagers Association.

Lily Catalfo holds her new granddaughter Molly in front of their new cottage!

Austin and Jaime Smith, and their children Norie and baby Maverick, are new owners on Lakeshore.