Manitoulin Island is poised to become home to the North’s newest hotel and conference centre, currently under construction in the town of Little Current.
An initiative of the Great Spirit Circle Trail (GSCT), an Aboriginal-operated, nature-based cultural tourism organization, the hotel has been in the planning stages for a number of years, and construction on the $10-million project began in earnest last June.
Situated on the shores of the North Channel, the hotel will feature 58 rooms, a conference and meeting room that can accommodate up to 350 people, a restaurant to host 50 people and a swimming pool.
Perry + Perry Architects of Sudbury has been retained for the conception of the project.
Its design is unique in that it reflects and respects First Nations culture and traditions, including a circular lobby. Wood and Manitoulin rock will be incorporated into the design, and geothermal energy is being harnessed to heat the facility.
The hotel will need the equivalent of 35 full-time jobs, and a company will be contracted to create meals for the restaurant. The décor will incorporate subtle references to First Nations culture, including a nod to the seven grandfather teachings.
The GSCT’s primary markets are motor coach tours and First Nations meetings and events, while families and tourists comprise its secondary market.
In keeping with its mandate to grow tourism on the Island, the organization hopes that, by encouraging visitors to stay an extra day or two, tourism as a whole will increase on Manitoulin, benefitting shops, restaurants, tour operators and even other hoteliers.
The project is collectively being funding by the GSCT’s member First Nations.
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