Thursday, May 5, 2011

ALGONQUIN HOTEL: Stay alert, Algonquin's future still undecided

Published Thursday April 28th, 2011
Government negotiating with hotel chain about possibilities for iconic facility
by chris morris
Times & Transcript Staff

FREDERICTON - The New Brunswick government is negotiating with the Fairmont hotel chain to continue operating the Algonquin in St. Andrews on a non-brand basis.

Supply and Services Minister Claude Williams gave an update on efforts to sell the storied hotel during budget estimates for his department in the legislature yesterday.

Liberal MLA Rick Doucet asked Williams what will happen if a buyer or an investor is not found to take over the hotel by December 31, when Fairmont's management contract expires.

Fairmont has said it will not renew the contract.

"We will certainly be looking at an interim operator," Williams said.

"We have already asked Fairmont to operate the facility on a non-brand name. That means they would be operating it but not under the Fairmont brand. We're looking at every option."

Williams said the discussions with Fairmont about the non-brand proposal are ongoing.

"We haven't had a firm answer from Fairmont," he told Doucet.

Doucet, the MLA for Charlotte-The Isles, said the Algonquin hotel and golf course generate about $6 million annually in spin offs for communities in southwestern New Brunswick.
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Photo Credit: Art MacKay
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