That much-anticipated renovation work on the Sands Motel on McIntyre St. E. is on hold.
“We’re still committed to the project. We want to make sure we get it right,” said Paul Lamarche, project manager, and business partner.
“We’re re-evaluating things and we came up with some alternative layouts and changes to make the project better. We’re still working those changes out from a planning perspective as well as architecturally, and structurally.”
There is no definitive start-up date.
“We’re hoping to get back on it during our short construction season that we have here, but we’re not 100 per cent sure at this point. There’s always delays with everything as you know in construction, and waiting on architects and engineers and so on.”
Lamarche admits work could be delayed until the fall.
“It could, that’s not our goal, but you never know.”
One option still being considered is the addition of another floor to the two-storey structure.
“We’re looking at adding a third-storey, and an elevator of course. I don’t want to be held to it, but we are considering roof-top patios on top of the third storey. It would have a nice clear view to the lake,” explained Lamarche.
“We’re looking at 10 units per floor, so if we ended up with three floors, we’re looking at 30 units. We’re still working the cost out depending on the changes, but it is a multi-million dollar project.”
The cost per unit would reflect market conditions.
“They would be condos for sale, so probably one and two bedroom units. The target market would be perhaps empty nesters, people looking to downsize, people starting out, maybe snowbirds, or people who might have a cottage, but maybe want a home base in town close to all the services and part of the revitalization of the downtown.”
Large piles of mostly sand are piled high in front of the building from earlier work.
“We excavated in front of the building to reveal where the bedrock was for the structural report for the engineers. There was some backfill with pieces of leftover concrete and so on, that was mixed in. You never know what you find when you dig up. We are considering maybe moving that pile off-site. There have been talks about that, but I can’t put a date on it.”
