Marriott, Other Hotel Chains Exploring Howard Johnson Site in Nanaimo

October 25, 2016

NANAIMO – A new hotel in downtown Nanaimo is becoming a very real possibility.

It’s looking more likely that it won’t be in the site that most have been expecting: next to the Vancouver Island Conference Centre.

Dan Brady of the Howard Johnson Hotel says his investment team is in serious discussions with a number of major companies about having their flag flown at their waterfront site next to the Millstone River, a stone’s throw from Maffeo Sutton Park.

In regards to the hotel component on out property. we are having franchise discussions with Marriott, Hyatt, Clarion, Wyndham and Hilton,” Brady says.

Most major hotel chains don’t actually build hotel properties themselves, he adds.

“They simply provide franchise opportunities. I think that there is some confusion in regards to this.”

A major component to the Howard Johnson team’s $100-million plans to redevelop the property is a 5,500 seat entertainment and sports complex, which has already piqued the interest of the Western Hockey League, which would love to move a franchise to Nanaimo to complement their lone Vancouver Island club, the Victoria Royals.

“Having a major hotel flag flown over the new property, and an entertainment and sports complex would be fantastic,” Brady. “It’s those types of brands that represent a cosmopolitan city. It’ll get Nanaimo to that next level. If you want to play in the big leagues, you need big names.”

The first step has already been taken, with the opening of the a liquor store at Brooks Landing owned by the Howard Johnson team, allowing them to move their existing liquor store license from the Comox Road site in anticipation of redevelopment.

What has given Brady and other Nanaimoites legitimate cause for optimism regarding an entertainment and sports complex this time has been the fact that city council and staff are on the same page in terms of recognizing the need for such social infrastructure. Now, the political will is there, unlike others, where overtures and opportunities from possible investors turned their attention elsewhere following tepid, lukewarm interest from city staff and politicians.

Brady says their company currently has enlisted the services of architect Bob Richeleau of Praxis Victoria to design spaces on the property that would accommodate an entertainment and sports complex, a hotel and other buildings. Geotechnical work is also underway.

“Bob has met with senior staff at the City, and they’ve been extremely helpful regarding relocation of some of the city services for the site. Staff has been great to deal with. There’s a new environment of cooperation and enthusiasm at the city, which is very noticeable,” Brady adds.

Brady says ownership is putting together a pro-forma business plan for the site, and they are optimistic that council has placed an entertainment and sports complex as one of their top five priorities.

“We need to know what that means, exactly,” he adds.

A WHL franchise would be a welcome tenant for such a facility, providing 40-plus dates for games, drawing spectators from across the slad.

WHL President Ron Robison says the league has had its eye on moving a WHL franchise to Nanaimo for years, providing a second team to complement the Victoria Royals that would help defray the added expense of traveling to Vancouver Island.

“It’s exciting, and great to hear what’s going on,” says Robison. “We’ve been expressing interest for many years as to what the plans could be, so this is good to see.”

“We’ve always been interested in exploring new opportunities for future markets,” he adds. “Nanaimo has always been at the top of the list. Being on the Island already, I think Nanaimo has potential to be an excellent WHL market.”

Robison suggested Nanaimo wouldn’t be an expansion team, but rather a relocated, existing club. With a population closing in on 100,000 and immediate market area of over 250,000, Nanaimo would be a market that is more promising than several WHL teams in much smaller markets.

Having a viable arena with a minimum 4,000 seats, is imperative for any chance of having a WHL team in Nanaimo. Robison says the league averages 4,500 spectators per game.

Is the possibility of an entertainment and sports complex on the horizon enough to entice the WHL to move a franchise to Nanaimo in a similar fashion to what transpired in Kelowna?

In 1995, the Tacoma Rockets moved to Kelowna and played in Memorial Arena until the new Prospera Place was ready after the 1998-99 season. Kelowna has become a major WHL success story, and the rink became a catalyst to transforming a run-down, industrial area into the now dynamic downtown Kelowna waterfront.

Nanaimo’s Frank Crane Arena is undersized and outdated, but it could technically serve as a temporary home for a WHL team if a new arena was guaranteed.

“We know there’s interest,” Robison said regarding Nanaimo, adding that the Kelowna situation is “not ideal, but it’s a possibility. We deal with these on a case-by-case basis. As long as there’s a guarantee that a facility would be ready by a certain date.”

Brady suggests that an entertainment and sports complex, which would also attract major entertainment and concerts, and a new hotel could theoretically be ready for the start of the 2019 hockey season.

Brady is pleased that “the WHL is very excited about Nanaimo. So are we, and we’re taking some important steps that could make this all happen.”

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