A BRIEF HISTORY OF PARADISE LAKES

Fred Bischoff, a minister, stockbroker, and realtor, lived at Lake Como Family Nudist Resort but dreamed of creating his own place.

He wanted a place where members could have clothing options.

His dream became a purchase on April 11, 1980.

A grand opening ceremony for Paradise Lakes was held on Aug. 16, 1980, featuring a water ski show, naked skydivers, and an open bar.

The original 42 acres grew to 72 acres, including a beach, a y-shaped pool, a whirlpool, three tennis courts, and a 4,000-square-foot clubhouse.

At the time, the community's one-bedroom, one-bath units sold for $24,000 each.

During this time, Bischoff became the president of his daughter's PTA, and his wife served as PTA president after him.

He expanded Paradise Lakes by adding a new pool and clubhouse at the entrance, aptly titled Club Fred.

Bischoff decided to return to his roots as a minister, so he left the resort to open a Christian youth camp in Ocala. In May of 1999, Fred sold his interest in Paradise Lakes to Joe Lettelleir and his partners.

Lettelleir improved the property by adding two new condominium areas, the Fountains and the Terraces, and an 64-space RV park.

He also upgraded the clubhouse, and after a naming contest, the members renamed the facility L'attitudes.

On July 11, 2007, Lettelleir sold the naturist facility to John Fortier, who bought it "to have fun." Fortier was a retired Colorado developer, a part-time resident, and a Paradise Lakes club member for over two years.

During his tenure at the club, Fortier added a water volleyball pool, the Skydeck overlooking the pool area, many hotel upgrades, and a complete clubhouse renovation.

The new high-tech clubhouse was renamed Club Reveal.

Paradise Lakes withdrew from The American Association of Nude Recreation (AANR) in 2009 due to sexually explicit advertisements.

On Nov. 20, 2011, John Fortier was killed in a horrific one-car accident in Texas.

Pam Tanner, John's girlfriend and the editor of Pasco Naturally, died on Dec. 4, 2011, due to her injuries in the accident.

Patti and Jerry Buchanan announced their purchase of Paradise Lakes Resort at a massive party on Sept. 22, 2012.

The Buchanans came from Minnesota and were hands-on folks. The Buchanans owned the resort until it was sold on June 1, 2021, to owner/manager Jeff Hicks following Jerry Buchanan’s untimely passing in April

2020.

Jeff first visited the resort in the late 1980s and pledged to re-energize the resort with additionalimprovements.

The resort is now open only to adults aged 21 and older.

Thank you to vangaurd for preparing this bio.