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Holiday Inn Express in Prince Albert. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)
New Business

Holiday Inn becomes first building to open in P.A.’s Yard District

Dec 8, 2023 | 2:00 PM

It’s a moment that’s been nine years in the making.

Prince Albert’s Yard District saw its first building open to the public on Thursday as the Holiday Inn Express welcomed its first guests.

“Maybe (its) a bit too early to open,” joked Gary Brar, the hotel’s owner.

The building took just over a year to build. The City of P.A. officially approved its development permit in August 2022.

Brar, who owns hotels in other Saskatchewan communities, said the process to get the hotel open was surprisingly easy.

“When we build in other communities, sometimes it’s hard to get along and sometimes they think we’re just outsiders but here in P.A. we got welcomed.”

The Holiday Inn is now P.A.’s biggest hotel. It features 121 rooms, a mini aquatic centre, a gym, a meeting room, an open kitchen, and a lounge area.

@panownews Inside look at P.A.'s newest hotel, the Holiday Inn Express in The Yard District. #princealbert #saskatchewan #yarddistrict ♬ original sound – paNOW

Brar explained this has already garnered a lot of attention from people planning trips to the area.

“We’ve been approached by numerous hockey teams, hosting (the teams competing in the) tournaments happening next year… a lot of people reaching out to us,” he said.

@panownews What a room looks like inside P.A.'s newest hotel, the Holiday Inn Express in The Yard District. #princealbert #saskatchewan #yarddistrict ♬ original sound – paNOW

He’s also expecting to see more guests once additional buildings open up in The Yard.

“By the time that the rink is open, the leisure centre is open, we’ll be ready to welcome those guests,” said Brar.

The hotel also includes a mini aquatic centre, gym, meeting room, open kitchen, and lounge area.

Right now, the hotel has 15 full-time employees. Brar noted they’re planning to add more staff in the near future.

“Come January, February we’ll be hiring more people,” he said.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

X: @princealbertnow

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