North Bay's Ramada Inn is back in business after a lengthy closure caused by electrical problems.
Golf and Property Manager Cary Lafontaine tells BayToday that supply chain issues meant that an electrical part, which affected power in the entire building, couldn't be obtained.
The North Bay Building Department ordered the facility closed back on Nov. 17 last year. The order stated, "Electrical service has been terminated by local provider: no power to operate required fire alarm system of minimum lighting."
"It was probably still safe, but you've got to do what you've got to do," explained Lafontaine."The inspectors had to shut it down. Better safe than sorry."
The business ended up being closed for a month while it waited for the part. "Like everything else, parts are hard to come by."
See: City shuts down Ramada Inn due to 'electrical' issues
He says the impact on business was "huge" and that some big functions had to be cancelled. They couldn't be rescheduled.
"We had to scramble to put them in other hotels. There was a big hockey tournament in town, so every hotel in North Bay was sold out so some people had to even cancel coming."
But Lafontaine says that's all behind them now and its' business as usual for the Toronto owners and the hotel.
With trails recently opened, the snowmobilers are starting to book into the hotel, which is a big part of the winter trade.
"They can stay at the hotel and leave straight onto the trails, like the Kate Pace Way, out onto Lake Nipissing."
Lafontaine says the golf course has been unaffected by the electrical issues and will be ready to go in the spring. "It's looking great. We're buying stock for the pro shop."
