The former hotel has 100 suites, a swimming pool and a restaurant. (competition documents/sasktenders.ca)

By Alison Sandstrom

On the market

City seeks buyer for former Quality Inn

Jul 21, 2020 | 5:12 PM

If you’re in the market for a seven-storey 67,000 square foot downtown property, act fast.

The City of Prince Albert will be accepting offers on the former Quality Inn until Aug. 11.

Around a year after its previous owner shut down the hotel, the city formally took ownership of the building earlier this month through the Tax Enforcement Act. The former owner owes the city nearly $700,000 in back taxes and penalties.

“It’s about time,” city manager Jim Toye told paNOW. “It took us a while to get to here.”

Toye said several interested businesses and individuals have already toured the property. Although he couldn’t discuss specifics, he noted some potential buyers were looking to use the space as something other than a hotel.

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The interior of the building – vacant for the past year – needs some work, so whoever buys it will have to invest in some renovations, Toye said. But ideally, the result will benefit both the new owner and the neighbourhood.

“Hopefully it’s going to be something that’s going to highlight the downtown of the City of Prince Albert,” he said. “And start some movement towards some positive things happening downtown.”

The former hotel is currently listed for sale on sasktenders.ca and the City of P.A. website. Documents indicate it has 100 suites, two banquet rooms, a restaurant, and a swimming pool. All contents are included in the sale.

Toye explained when the competition closes at 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 11, the city will open all the offers received for the property. After verifying they meet conditions, staff will forward the tenders, along with their recommendation that the sale go to the highest bidder to city council for final approval.

“We’ll say ‘Here’s how many tenders we had, here’s what the number one tender is, and we are recommending that this tender will be the official owner,’” he said.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom