Rupert Hotel scene sees a major change

The largest investors in the soon to be constructed Gaming Centre have purchased themselves a major downtown hotel. West Coast Hospitality Ltd. has become new owner of the Coast Hotel Prince Rupert located at 2nd Avenue and Sixth Street.

The new owners have plans for many changes to the hotel and no doubt will tie in the operation with the Chances Gaming Centre once it becomes operational next year.

The Daily News had full details on the purchase on its Monday front page, including details on the progress of the Gaming Centre on the old Legion site overlooking the Prince Rupert Harbor. One of the side stories to that development is a bit of a backlash to the paving of a local bit of paradise for a parking lot.

Some local residents expressed dismay at the removal of the 90 year old stand of trees that was on the property to make way for the parking lot for the Gaming Centre. The Mayor suggesting in his comments that when you attract new construction some site clearing is required. It makes for the second time in the last little while that the Mayor has ended up on the wrong side of the argument with local nature lovers, as we think back to the controversy over the wooded are of the Eagle Bluffs over Cow Bay, which eventually became a park area.

The details on the changing face of accommodations and entertainment in Prince Rupert can be found below, from the front page of the Daily News.

NEW OWNERS AT HELM AT THE COAST HOTEL
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Monday, September 11, 2006
Page One

The largest shareholder in the new Community Gaming Centre, West Coast Hospitality Ltd., is also now the new owner of the Coast Hotel Prince Rupert.

And sources say there are many changes expected at the downtown establishment that will happen quickly, however due to the confidentiality of the transaction, not many details being released at this point.

The sale of the Coast Hotel Prince Rupert happened Sept. 1 and includes the hotel as well as all ancillary departments, such as the Cabaret, the Pub, Charlie’s Dining Room and Rupert Beer, Wine and Liquor store.

A spokesperson for West Coast Hospitality said they are “excited about further their business in Prince Rupert and feel that the acquisition of the hotel plays a big part in their overall corporate future.”

West Coast Hospitality intends to invest in the hotel through selective renovations and refurbishments in order to better serve the guests of the hotel. While the renovations schedule has not bee finalized, West Coast Hospitality believes it will teak up to two years to complete the work needed to bring the hotel up to where the new ownership would like to see it.

West Coast Hospitality is a privately owned company with assets in Northern B. C. and is the largest shareholder in the new $7 million Community Gaming Centre – to be called Chances Prince Rupert – being built on the old Legion site. The Community Gaming Centre is a partnership between the Prince Rupert Bingo Association and West Coast Hospitality.

The centre will include gaming, entertainment and food and beverage service on the top level and 10,000 square foot convention centre on the bottom level. Future plans for the site include waterfront condominiums, and in the long term, a marina facility.

Craig Briere, business manager for the Prince Rupert Bingo Association, said everything at the Gaming Centre is moving forward quickly.

“The foundation contract has been awarded to Marcan Construction of Prince Rupert and they are beginning the formings for the foundation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Boni Maddison has done extensive work in Northern B. C. and has most recently designed the new Treasure Cove Casino and Hotel in Prince George.

The design team also includes West Coast Hospitality and Susan Marsden of the Museum of Northern B. C.

“We’ve created a design team that’s working on the exterior and interior to create a design that not only provides a first class gaming facility but is also reflective of the community and the culture,” said Briere.

Site preparation also included cutting down the 90 year old trees and clearing a view to the waterfront on #2 Pacific Place, which was recently sold by the city to the developers. Seventy parking spots are planned for the lot.

Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond said that most people he has spoken with are pleased with the development on the site, however other city councilors have been hearing less favourable reviews about the removal of the trees.

“It was very clear through the rezoning, that there is going to be a building and a parking lot going up there and eventually some condos and none of those can be put where there’s trees,” said Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond.

“We’ve been working hard to attract new construction and that generally means there’s going to be some site prep.”

He added there were a lot of people upset about the trees that were cut down for the development of the cruise ship dock but as soon as the cruise ships began coming and going, he hasn’t had any complaints.