Demolition Donation! Oasis Developer Offers $1.5M In Timeshare Items To Local Charities

The project to bring a $470 million entertainment complex and resort to Lake of the Ozarks just cleared a big hurdle: the Lakewood Resort timeshares, which stood in the midst of the planned project, have been fully purchased. After two years of wrangling and a landslide HOA vote, developer Jeff Tegethoff says it's full steam ahead.

Now, in a gesture of community goodwill, Tegethoff has announced that $1.5 million in materials from the timeshares have been donated to 18 charities including Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, and local Boy Scout troops. The donation included everything from docks and playground equipment to furniture, appliances, and deck materials.

“We’re really proud of that,” he shared, emphasizing the collective effort with the HOA and local organizations.

Volunteer crews have been on-site, on behalf of those groups, helping to salvage all the usable items from the timeshares before they are demolished.

Demolition is set to begin this month.

Environmental inspections have been completed, and 76 of the necessary 94 permits are already in place, according to Tegethoff, who described the project as "fairly complex," with many moving parts. However, he noted the team’s confidence in meeting its timelines.

Tegethoff addressed the Osage Beach Board of Aldermen about the project on Thursday, Nov. 7, providing an status update about the timeshares and sharing about the donation. Over the past two years, the difficulties and delays in purchasing the timeshares (outlined in this article) had resulted in Tegethoff approaching the board multiple times to ask for a timeline extension on the project, which has received city and state approval for various tax incentives.

Tegethoff also updated LakeExpo on the projected development cost. When it was first announced, the Oasis was billed as a "$300 million" entertainment complex. Now, he says the final price tag will likely be around $470 million.

The transition of the Lakewood timeshares has been a central focus in the development of the Oasis at Lakeport entertainment complex, located by the Grand Glaize Bridge. While site preparation, including extensive excavation and rock blasting, began earlier this year, progress hit a visible standstill as the developer awaited final acquisitions and permits.

“We’ve spent the last 16 months in near-weekly sessions, trying to find a solution,” Tegethoff said.

A September vote by timeshare deed holders to sell to Tegethoff saw 2,548 ballots cast, with only 12 opposed—a mere 0.5% dissent. He confirmed that 99% of the timeshare deeds are in-hand, with just 29 remaining outstanding.

“Everyone received money, whether over the past 2.5 years or at closing,” he added, noting the careful oversight by Lakewood’s attorney throughout the process.

The ambitious development plan includes the first phase of the Oasis opening in August 2025, with one restaurant debuting initially and a second in spring 2026. Dock installations are slated for summer 2025, with the hotel targeted for November 2026.

“We continue to zig and zag, but as of today, we feel confident about our timelines,” Tegethoff said.