Report by Mary P. Brooke      |         August 2010

The Prestige Hotel continues towards its target opening date of February 2011 (photo taken Aug.24/10 shows construction progress of the 122-room facility as well as new signage on West Coast Road to announce the upcoming opening).

Conference bookings have begun, including seven conferences booked by the District of Sooke, one of those being the Vancouver Island Emergency Preparedness conference for April 2011.

Report by Mary P. Brooke      |         Oct.7, 2009

The crowds that Sooke business has always hoped would come, may indeed arrive once a 122-room hotel has been established. Just such a facility is being discussed by the District of Sooke and developer Prestige Sooke Holdings Ltd. for a location at 6923, 6931 and 6937 West Coast Road, just west of the Sooke town centre.

The proposed Prestige Hotel & Resort/Conference Centre would proceed after rezoning applications are approved (changing from Marine Commercial zoning CM-1 to Comprehensive Development zoning DM-8). The proposal was discussed in detail most recently at the Oct.5/09 District of Sooke Council Meeting (Committee of the Whole) where about 40 members of the public and media were present. A public hearing will be held Oct.20.

The District would provide a public boat launch in front of the hotel, where no fees would be charged to members of the public for launching boats there. This has long been considered a necessary service to the Sooke community, and Mayor Janet Evans said at the Oct.5 meeting that this has been "long in coming" and that it's a proud moment for her in her 10 years as Mayor. The Government docks are nearby, at the foot of Maple Avenue South.

Adjacent property owners have been consulted by the District including a private home on one side, and two commercial operations -- Jock's Dock and the Crab Shack. The public will have an opportunity to submit written comments or make their views known at the upcoming public hearing and meetings.

The hotel plan includes 122 guest rooms, conference room capacity for 400 delegates, gym, pool, spa, restaurant and lounge, and marina. The District would own and manage the public boat launch. There would be 19 boat parking stalls alongside the hotel and three turnaround areas for boat trailers.

The municipality plans to make the conference centre space available to non-profit groups; under the partnership proposal, the district would pay Prestige Sooke Holdings $300,000 a year for five years, for the use of the conference centre for 12 days a month. Prestige has agreed to contribute $200,000 to the cost of the adjacent boat launch and pier. The District would see that the existing boardwalk (accessible from Ed Macgregor Park and Murray Road) would be extended to meet up with the pier at the boat launch.

The hotel deal will collectively bring approximately $925,000 to the District through building permits, rezoning fees, development cost charges ($200,000 of which is for construction of the public boat launch) and annual sewer generation fees.

Prestige hopes to start construction this fall and wants to open the hotel in the fall of 2010. Prestige is owned by Joe K. Huber of Kelowna, BC.

The proposed southern plantation theme for the facility has been the subject of discussion and controversy among some groups in the community. However, Sooke Harbour Chamber of Commerce president Gwen Fisher said in a letter to the editor (Sooke News Mirror, Oct.7/09): "...I firmly believe the hotel convention centre will bring economic growth benefiting the community as a whole. The convention centre and a hall of its size will benefit local and be a beautiful place to hold large events. Let's not lose focus on the main issues, more jobs, more business opportunities, increased year-round tourism, and more commercial tax for our district."  MM

Click here to read some quotes from local residents.

This story will be expanded over the days and weeks to come.

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