Artist rendering of new BCMI hotel to be built in Blairmore.
LINDSAY GOSS
Pass Herald Reporter
Reconstruction of the brand new Best Canadian Motor Inns hotel is now underway. The facility will include 49 completely renovated modern rooms, a fitness room, and laundry facilities, meeting room, breakfast area, business centre and coffee house.
The hotel is to replace the existing BCMI hotel, located on 20th Avenue in Blairmore, which caught fire and burned in November 2011. The remains of the building have sat vacant pending the completion of detailed renovation plans. The extensive upgrade plans are now complete and reconstruction is under way.
“Construction can nitt always be put on a timeline,” said Scott Germain, Vice President of Operations at BCMI Management LTD. “But we hope to reach completion of the hotel by the end of this year or early next year.”
Germain explained that during the gap between November 2011 and now, BCMI has been working out the insurance issues.
Now, reconstruction of the new hotel is ready to start.
“We didn’t want to build the same tired building,” said Germain. “We want to build a new and fresh product.”
He said that despite plans of an international brand hotel coming to Blairmore in the coming year, he welcomes competition.
“All the power to them,” he said. “Completion is healthy and good.”
The land for the BCMI hotel in Blairmore was purchased in 1991, making it the fourth hotel in the Best Canadian chain.
“It is an important part of the BCMI foundation,” said Germain. “It would have been easy to build the same facility, but we wanted to take the time and money to do a nice facility. We’re excited to get going. We hope we build a product to stop in the Crowsnest and stay a little longer.”
Changes to accommodations include a variety of room styles, including kitchens and two room family suites to an “over the top” luxury suite.
The local branch of Belfor Property Restoration will manage the project. The facility is expected to be completed and open to the public in late 2013 or early 2014
