Published: January 07, 2009 11:53 pm      

Former Coolfont owner has new project

Meditation retreat will be built near Romney

ROMNEY, W.Va. (AP) — The former owner of West Virginia’s Coolfont Resort has a new project: Randal Ashelman will oversee construction of an adults-only retreat for transcendental meditation.

Construction of the 150- to 200-room retreat near Romney is expected to cost up to $15 million. Ashelman and his wife expect to move in by March.

Global Country of World Peace has bought 170 acres in the state’s Eastern Panhandle for $750,000, according to Bob LoPinto, regional director of the project.

Global Country is affiliated with the Maharishi Vedic Education Development Corp., which subscribes to the transcendental teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It has “peace palaces” and “enlightenment centers” in nearly 30 states.

Hampshire County was chosen for its beauty and proximity to Washington, he said.