A new chapter at the downtown property has officially begun. (File photo/paNOW staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

New chapter

$900,000 sale of former Quality Inn officially complete

Mar 10, 2021 | 2:00 PM

Eight months after the City of Prince Albert took possession of the shuttered Quality Inn, the nearly $900,000 weight left by the building’s previous owner has been lifted off P.A. taxpayers’ shoulders. A new buyer is ready to move forward with a bold new vision for the downtown property.

City manager Jim Toye told paNOW the sale of the hotel, approved by council in the fall, officially closed late Tuesday.

“Nearly $900,000 of city costs and unpaid taxes have now been recovered,” Toye told paNOW, adding that the buyer has also been reimbursing the city for operational costs at the building since October 2020.

Toye explained Cumberland House Cree Nation is the shareholder of the company buying the hotel, Saskatchewan River Business Corporation. Initially the proposed buyer, who paid $857,142.86 plus GST for the property, was described as Cumberland Crossing in city documents.

The new owners plan to reinvent the shuttered 93-room hotel as affordable student housing and accommodation for people visiting loved ones in hospital.

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“They have a strong vision for this space, and it will be a welcome addition to the downtown,” said Toye.

A restaurant, catering business, medical taxi for transporting guests, and a public daycare with priority for students are also proposed for the site, Toye said. Students living there will have access to an on-site laundry and cleaning service, a communal kitchen, games rooms, computer study rooms and 24-hour security.

Toye explained the building will be “a safe and secure environment for young families and single parents,” adding it will serve as an important home base–just two blocks away from the University of Saskatchewan P.A. campus–for students from the North who may be unfamiliar with the city. The facility is also intended to be alcohol-free, he said.

“It’s good for the First Nation, it’s good for the North, and it’s good for P.A.,” said Toye.

Opening dates have yet to be announced and Toye has previously indicated there’s a significant amount of repairs that need to be done inside the building which sat empty for over a year after the previous owner abandoned it. However, Toye said the new owners have already started investing in refurbishment.

“They’ve got everything in motion to make sure that the endeavor is going to be successful,” said Toye.

He thanked Cumberland House Cree Nation Chief Rene Chaboyer, band manager Marcia Seeseequasis, and Orrin Greyeyes for their work in bringing the deal to fruition.

The new owners are expected to offer more details next week.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom