Nanaimo's Courtyard by Marriott hotel opened in March. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

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NANAIMO — While a new nine-storey hotel in the downtown of a city the size of Nanaimo is notable, this past spring’s opening of the Courtyard by Marriott held extra meaning.

Years prior to the City-owned Vancouver Island Conference Centre opening in 2008, maximizing the project’s value hinged on a neighbouring hotel at long-vacant 100 Gordon St.

Several unsuccessful formal attempts were made to build a hotel there, however no private sector interests came through until Utah-based PEG Development stepped forward.

Construction crews arrived late in 2019 to ensure a building permit deadline did not lapse for the project, undoubtedly elevating the blood pressure of some at City Hall.

The 172-room business-class hotel opened with 50 employees, which is expected to be boosted seasonally over the busy tourism season.

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Outfitted with a ground level pool, lounge and fitness centre, the hotel breathed new life into downtown Nanaimo, said the hotel’s general manager Paul Dodds

“This was a vacant area that was underutilized space. I think adding some more foot traffic here and some more people coming down to Commercial St. and the waterfront, it was long overdue,” Dodds told NanaimoNewsNOW.

The new hotel filled an empty lot in a key portion of downtown Nanaimo between the Port Theatre and Port Place Shopping Centre. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Opening the hotel fits in well with ongoing downtown revitalization efforts in downtown Nanaimo, which has had its share of challenges, but also opportunities.

The substantial $23 million investment also expands the economic reach of Snuneymuxw First Nation, which has a majority ownership stake in the hotel.

Erralyn Joseph, president of SFN’s economic development arm Petroglyph Development Group, said their stake in the hotel provides not only employment opportunities for their people, but also the chance to share more about their history.

“This is a very important initiative to our people, it’s overdue for Nanaimo to have Snuneymuxw have such a major equity stake in something so important and needed for the community. It reconnects us to this parcel of land and tells the story of who the Snuneymuxw people are.”

Original First Nations’ art is decorated throughout the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel.

The hotel’s exterior has an environmentally friendly component with off-site constructed 750 pre-fabricated panels made with 3D software, which also sped up the construction process.

The nine-storey Courtyard by Marriott is a noticeable addition to downtown Nanaimo. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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