By Gary M.
05/2009 - I am sad to report that Sun Island Resort (formerly Swallows Sun Island) in El Cajon, California, is now closed permanently. The property has been sold to a non-nudist as rumors fly about threatened lawsuits and counter suits between the existing and former owners.
Background: In 2003, the resort (then called Swallows) was almost sold to a non-nudist when fire swept through the region, burning and nearly wiping out the 50-year old park. The nudist community rallied with fund-raisers to get them back on their feet, donating many thousands of dollars to the cause.
A year later, its infrastructure being nearly rebuilt, Swallows was sold to park residents Fernando Gonzales, Jay Goldby, and Jim Taft. Gonzales was in the construction business and was instrumental in getting the rows of prefab homes built in record time. The goal was to sell them quickly to pay off the loan used to purchase the land, but the housing market took its downturn and many of the homes remained unsold. Unfortunately, Sun Island could no longer make their payments and the lender instituted foreclosure proceedings. To prevent the foreclosure, former owner, Jim Shafer, took back control of the property and sold it to the current buyer, a non-nudist who will convert the land to non-nudist purposes.
The residents were informed of the sale at the beginning of May and that they had 30 days to move. The web site and visitor day use ceased almost immediately.
DeAnza Springs, 40 miles o the east, is now offering a 20% discount on a DeAnza club membership to any current member of Swallows Sun Island.
We also heard from several reliable sources that lawsuits may be filed against a variety of the major players involved by a some of those evicted.
FORMER SWALLOWS SUN ISLAND PARK UP FOR SALE AGAIN
10/2010 - Anyone have $3.8 million dollars?
The owners of the 25-acre mobile home park formerly known as Swallows/Sun Island near El Cajon have thrown in the towel on making the place work as a clothing-only Mormon church retreat.
Located in the Harbison Canyon/Dehesa Valley area, the park was devastated by a wild fire in 2003 after being in business for nearly 50 years. An attempt was made to rebuild, but when the housing market collapsed in 2007, the nudist owners had to close the park, scattering most of its longtime residents to other resorts such as De Anza and Glen Eden.
The selling agents are Ben Hankins (951) 235-2254 and Jon Haber (951) 235-1996 of Jack Murphy & Associates. More information can be found at www.theislandforsale.com. They prefer to sell it to a nudist or group of nudists
