Developer Glenn Squires, a 35-year hospitality veteran and native of Newfoundland and Labrador, told the Advertiser he expects construction on the 61-room hotel to begin by July or August of this year.
“We’ve done a lot of hotels on the island and we know what we want to do, so we won’t be waiting,” he stated.
The company’s most recent project on the island was the Holiday Inn Express in Deer Lake.
The new Grand Falls-Windsor hotel will also includes some meeting space, an indoor pool and waterslide, and there is a possibility of a free standing restaurant on the site as well, according to Squires Pacrim’s CEO.
The company is considering two sites that meet their top criteria of easy access and high visibility from the Trans Canada Highway.
“We had actually considered a country inn with 15-20 rooms there a few years back but we had difficulty getting the exact location we wanted.”
Squires added that his company is considering three other developments in Newfoundland and Labrador, but he expects the Grand Falls-Windsor project will be the first to start.
“When we came there to meet officials we were really impressed with how upbeat they were about bringing the community forward, particularly after what had happened with the mill.” Squires continued.
“Just the mindset, the impression we got was that it was a place we wanted to do business.”
Today’s announcement included a planned build in Bay Roberts as well.
“The new Canadian properties will not only boast PLUS+® upgrades and amenities but many will also have indoor pools and restaurants adjacent to their properties; both a major attraction for the leisure market, “ stated Red Roof. President Andrew Alexander in a press release issued on their website today.
The Grand Falls-Windsor build is part of a twenty-year deal with Squires to build and brand 40 hotels across Canada, with the support of Pacrim Hospitality Services Inc..
“This agreement signals Red Roof’s strong growth internationally and the demand for our upscale economy product,” Alexander added. “The key to our success is our ability to find partners with deep local knowledge.”
“There is a large demand for economy hotels to fill an open void,” said Squires in the press release. “This is a natural fit for Red Roof and especially the Canadian consumer who is eager for more choices and low costs paired with comfortable, amenity-filled rooms.
Check the Advertiser online and in print for more updates on the project.
