By Mark Buckshon
Ottawa Construction News staff writer
Developers say they will still build a $55 million hotel connected to Ottawa’s international airport, even though City Council voted against a $13 million community improvement grant.
Germain Hotels says it will build a 178-room Alt Hotel with a restaurant, meeting rooms and covered pedestrian pathway linking the hotel with the airport’s terminal.
Council declined the grant in April as Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said he was opposed to tax breaks for private businesses.
However CTV News reports that, while both the hotel company and the airport expressed disappointment in council’s decision, they would continue to work together.
A Germain Hotels spokesperson told the broadcaster on Oct. 6 that the project is going ahead and is expected to open by the fall of 2025.
“We are pleased that the construction of the Alt Hotel Ottawa Airport at YOW is getting ready for take off!” airport spokesperson Krista Kealey said in a statement. “We thank those who have supported this project and helped get it this far. We look forward to watching this project come to life, introducing the Alt brand by Le Germain Hotels to our passengers and making a lasting impact on Canada’s Capital Region.”
Kealey said the airport would have more information to share about construction schedules in the coming weeks and will work to minimize impacts to travellers and employees, CTV reported.
