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New hotel planned for Timmins

A Timmins businessman doesn't expect some conditions imposed by city council will impede his plans to build a new hotel. Luc Sergerie, who owns The Carpet Man on Riverside Drive, wants to construct a new hotel on his property through a joint venture.
Timmins
Bustling travel activity in Timmins represents an opportunity for a local businessman aiming to build a hotel.

A Timmins businessman doesn't expect some conditions imposed by city council will impede his plans to build a new hotel.

Luc Sergerie, who owns The Carpet Man on Riverside Drive, wants to construct a new hotel on his property through a joint venture. Although the required zoning change from industrial light to commercial highway general was approved, development cannot proceed until seven conditions set out by a holding designation on the property have been met.

“We are hoping for fall construction,” Sergerie said. “If all the conditions are met, and there is no problem complying with them, we should be ready for a spring opening.”

The proposed hotel is a Microtel Inn and Suites, which is operated by Wyndham.

“The city really needs another hotel,” Sergerie said. “It's hard to find rooms here sometimes.”

About eight months ago, Sergerie was approached by a group looking to develop a hotel in Timmins.

“Since I am a landowner, we decided to participate,” he said. “I will be one of the owners of this hotel, so it stays local.”

The 85-room facility will feature a full-sized family pool, a first for the city.

“Believe it or not, there isn't a hotel in Timmins with a pool,” Sergerie said. “This will be a great feature for those coming here.”

Microtels have the look of a high-end hotel, he said, but offer fair prices, with rooms designed with a European flair.

“They are planning an aggressive launch into Canada,” Sergerie said.

Plans also include the development of a restaurant in front of the hotel, but no firm deal has been reached yet.

Some of the conditions that must be met include a traffic study, a plan for mitigative measures such as fencing and sound proofing, and a study to show that nearby industrial operations will have no adverse impact on a hotel development.

The hotel is to be constructed between Sergerie's retail operation and the adjacent Wal-Mart store.

“It is a great spot with lots of parking,” he said. “It's in an area of town that is developing with lots of retail. It will be nice to have a restaurant in this end of town as well and more hotel rooms, which are badly needed here.”

Sergerie doesn't anticipate any problems meeting the conditions and is positive the project is moving ahead.

“We got our acceptance for severance and rezoning of the property, based on the conditions being met so this will go ahead,” he said.