From Cathy Dobson, The Sarnia Journal.
Two Oakville developers are investing $4
million to gut the former Drawbridge Inn and open a four-star boutique hotel on
Christina Street.
One of the principals, Gord Laschinger, was
involved in a defunct deal to redevelop downtown’s Bayside Centre last
year. He is no longer involved in the mall but said he is only months
away from opening the new hotel venture with business partner Malvinder Singh.
The 54-year-old building requires a complete
overhaul because it was somewhat neglected over the past decade and regularly
ran at only 20 to 25% occupancy, Laschinger said.
“Half the population has fond memories of The
Drawbridge when it was a very good hotel, but the other half may not. It
had gone downhill in the last 10 years,” he said.
Thank you for reading.
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| Zach Neal photos. |
From Paul Morden, Sarnia Observer.
Oakville-based Seasons Retirement Communities
has been identified as the new owner of Sarnia's Bayside Centre.
The company that owns and operates 18
retirement residences in Ontario and Alberta is named in a report from city
solicitor Scott McEachran to members of city council.
An information package from Seasons
Retirement Communities is attached to the report going to Monday's council
meeting.
It says the company is planning a new 140 to
160-suite assisted living retirement residence as part of a master plan to be
developed for the downtown site.
The company's acquisition of the mall
property closed April 18, according to the information package.
“It is Season's intention to improve the
Bayside Mall location, transforming it into the premier downtown destination
for the citizens of Sarnia and Lambton County,” the package says.
Planning is expected to take a year, with
construction of the residence beginning as early as 2018, it says.
Thank you for reading.
