HORNEPAYNE — Winnipeg-based hotel developer Rideout Bay Developments is planning to start construction of their 46-unit hotel in the heart of Hornepayne in the next few months.
Hornepayne has been without a hotel since the Hallmark centre closed in 2010. Construction of the new Studio 6 hotel is scheduled to start on April 2.
Seeing the gap between rural and urban centres, Rideout Bay noticed the demand for hospitality as the north continues to be a hot spot for travellers, a successful mining and forest industry, and a hub for recreational winter activities.
"We are very excited. We’ve had wonderful support from the town," CEO Ben S. Cohen said. "Tremendous collaboration. It wouldn’t have happened without the support from both the political and the administrative of the town. They really helped us secure what we think is the best site in town. We have some local partners as well who’ve really helped us along the way.”
Cohen said that they were able to use an acre and a half of the four-acre greenspaces near the playground and the tennis court.
The hotel will be on three levels taking up approximately 22,500 square feet. There will be handicapped-accessible suits available and every suit 320 square feet in size.
“They’re about 50 per cent larger than the average hotel rooms,” said Cohen.
Cohan also explains that each suit features full kitchen utilities including a full-size refrigerator, stove top, kitchen utensils, and air-fryer, as well as, a dining area.
“It has everything you need. You can stay for a night or a long-term extended stay,” said Cohan.
Construction of the hotel will be a combination of sub-contractors from the community and neighbouring communities, but the overall project will be managed by a general contractor from Montreal. The project will cost $7.2 million.
