The Municipality of Wood Buffalo has finally confirmed that it bought the Oil Sands Hotel building downtown more than a month ago, and just didn’t tell anyone.
Mayor Melissa Blake says it’ll be one piece of the overall downtown puzzle.
“We can confirm it now; we can’t give you any details of the transaction, other than to say we’re pretty excited about our City Centre redevelopment plans, and we have some catalyst projects that are looking to come to fruition, and acquiring this site is a part of that planning process,” Blake said.
Blake says it won’t take long for work to start.
“We have announced the tender for the demolition on that historic building site, which will certainly become part of a bright new future,” she said.
The catalyst projects for the downtown redevelopment include the proposed convention centre, arena, and public square.
Blake says she can’t say which one is going on the former hotel and bar site yet.
The demolition should be done next month, with development starting next year.
September 7, 2012
