Hotel chains are taking some interest in Wiarton’s waterfront now that a study shows there’s a market for one.
The Town of South Bruce Peninsula says its recently commissioned Market Feasibility Study by consultants RevPar international for a Resort Hotel was released last week and confirms there is market support for an upscale, full-service soft branded hotel in Wiarton.
Mayor Janice Jackson says the Town has been looking to put something on the site of the old Foodland location by Bluewater Park.
The study recommends an 80-unit, full service, soft branded hotel affiliated with Tribute by Marriott, that has a combination of standard rooms and suites designed to offer water views of Colpoy’s Bay and the Niagara Escarpment.
(Marriott’s website says its Tribute brand is made up of, “a family of independent boutique hotels).
Jackson notes, it doesn’t have to be a Marriott brand hotel and adds, most hotel chains have equivalent lines.
Consultants at RevPar also created a “pitch book” for the Town to use, and Jackson says since the study results were made public last week, they have gotten calls from a number of hotel chains, and also housing developers.
Jackson says there will be an opportunity for public input on the development, but adds, “It was very evident during the election that people wanted Wiarton to grow, and so that has been our mandate.”
Jackson says by growth, she means she’s heard from year-round residents who want to see more amenities in the town, more restaurants, food options and shopping, “They would just really like to see the town flourish and this is one way to kind of kick start that process.” Jackson believes a hotel could create a domino effect, “As soon as somebody substantial makes an investment in our town, it’s really going to start a chain effect of others coming to town as well.”
Jackson also notes with a development like that, more taxes would be paid to the Town which could then use that money to create amenities for the community, “It’s a really exciting opportunity for Wiarton. I think it will really kick us up ten notches.”
Believing a resort hotel would be a regional asset, funding for the study was paid for in part, by a Provincial Tourism Development Fund Grant with contributions from Grey County, Bruce County and the Township of Georgian Bluffs.
