BY DUCK PATERSON
Six years ago, building a hotel in the area seemed like a pipe dream, but the Microtel at Oyster Bay has changed that thinking. The MasterBuilt hotel, located at the Stz’uminus First Nation’s economic hub at Oyster Bay, celebrated its fifth anniversary on May 30. David Donaldson, CEO and president of MasterBuilt Hotels, and Stz’uminus Chief John Elliott welcomed invited guests to a barbecue and cake-cutting ceremony at the hotel to celebrate.
Managed by the economic arm of the Stz’uminus First Nation, Coast Salish Development Corporation, the hotel employs 22 people.
According to CSDC executive director Ray Gauthier, the management agreement with MasterBuilt has worked out very well.
“The occupancy and revenues have increased every year,” he said. “The expectations have been met and it it looks like it will improve for the next five years as well.”
He said the hotel is at 67-per cent occupancy right now and that is anticipated to tick up to 72-73 per cent over the next five years.
Elliott said the hotel has been hugely beneficial to the community.
“When we did community visioning it was one of the things the community wanted to see, a hotel and it’s proved to be the right thing,” the chief stated. “The job opportunities and training for the community is an added advantage.”
Gauthier said “people thought we were nuts” putting a hotel in that location, but a feasibility study at the time indicated it would be a fit.
“It was the first hotel built in the area in 20 years and has been good for the region,” he said. “The band has done well and the economic investment has contributed to the community and entire region.”
There are 28 Microtel locations now and the chain is in nearly every province. Several of those hotels were built in partnership with First Nations.
“We believe the Microtel program provides both economic returns and opportunities for our partners,” Donaldson said.
Elliott said the relationship with MasterBuilt has been very good, and the company has been open to Stz’uminus having a major role.
“They have standards that must be met and with their expertise, those are still being achieved,” the chief said. “We are now 100-per cent owners and MasterBuilt is working hand in hand with us on the operations and staff support.”
Gauthier said a restaurant is still in the plans for the complex, but it will take time, and will come “when all the numbers line up to make it successful.”
Elliott said the hotel centres a business hub, and a new building being planned beside the hotel as well as the subdivision “will only improve the overall picture.” He said the First Nation has a plan to move its administration into the growth area to be closer to the community.
“We are working on a long-range plan and it’s coming along well,” he said. “We see what we’re doing as huge benefit to the Stz’uminus community and even beyond. As people come and spend money, it works its way through the broader community and that’s good.”
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