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The former hotel has 100 suites, a swimming pool, a ballroom and a restaurant. (File photo/paNOW Staff)
Downtown revitalization

Council approves sale of shuttered downtown hotel

Sep 9, 2020 | 7:39 AM

Once one of Prince Albert’s top hotels, now a boarded-up shell of its former self, it appears the shuttered downtown Quality Inn is getting a third act.

Prince Albert city council unanimously approved the building’s sale to Cumberland Crossing for $857,142.86 plus GST at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Speaking to paNOW afterwards, City Manager Jim Toye said the company is made up a local First Nation located north of the city and a First Nation company headquartered in Prince Albert.

According to council documents, Cumberland Crossing plans to turn the building into affordable student housing and accommodation for families visiting loved ones in hospital. Services including a restaurant, medical taxi, catering business and public daycare with priority for students are also planned for the site. The entire facility will be alcohol free and have 24-hour security.

Toye said Cumberland Crossing has already had a number of groups from all over Western Canada tour the building to offer input on the various services it plans to provide there. Another group is visiting Wednesday.

The sale will close on Sept. 18, Toye explained, at which point the City will receive payment and hand over the keys.

Cumberland Crossing submitted the highest offer with no conditions during the tender process, which saw three out of seven bids come in at $150,000 or less.

“They made us an offer which we think is very fair,” said Toye.

A city report indicates the city is owed $887,144 from the downtown property. That includes unpaid taxes and penalties, as well as $70,787 spent on repairs, security, power, energy and cleaning for the building during the year after it was abandoned by its former owner.

After the sale is completed, the City will have lost $30,002, but covered all outstanding taxes and arrears on the building. That, Toye wrote in the report “is a positive win for the City.”

alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom