Friday Harbour asks to delay hotel, plans to build retirement home
The builder behind the Friday Harbour resort in Innisfil is looking to make some changes to its construction phase requirements.
Initially required to build a hotel and conference centre and create an official plan for homeowners to rent out their properties in its secondary plan, Geranium is asking the Town of Innisfil to delay those requirements.
"We just want to get it absolutely right," said Cheryl Shindruk, Executive Vice President of Geranium. "The pandemic has had a massive impact on the hospitality industry and it will be years before it recovers."
Shindruk said the amendment would designate a plot of land on the resort that would be made solely for a future hotel and conference centre.
"We would protect that site for a hotel that is envisioned at the east end of the boardwalk and allow that hotel to be delivered when the conditions support it," she added.
Geranium is switching its focus to building a 155 suite retirement facility instead, which Shindruk said is more of an urgent need.
"We are trying to build complete communities and our complete communities, of course, include seniors," said Leo DeLoyde, Director of Growth with the Town of Innisfil. "So there is a pressing need and we're seeing that in our research."
Friday Harbour would hope to have shovels in the ground for the new facility by next spring, should the amendments be approved.
Next spring would also see the creation of an official rental program, pushed back from its December 2021 target date.
"I think Friday Harbour needs to speed that process up," said Dan Davidson, Deputy Mayor. "We want to do it right the first time, and I think once they get in that, you won't have crazy weekend parties that are disturbing everybody."
Meanwhile, Shindruk estimates that a planned retirement home would cost over $50 million.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.