New Holiday Inn Express and Suites will be largest hotel in Welland

The hotel is operated by JBT Hospitality Inc., an independent hotel management company, and Hardcastle comes to it as an international hotelier and global consultant with five-star and midscale property experience.

She’s worked at Starwood, Le Meridien, Marriott and Hilton Hotels chains as a general manager and vice-president of business development.

Once complete, it will be the largest hotel in the city.

Hardcastle said there are 16 suites and 64 standard rooms, and in addition to the pool and gym, it will also include three meeting rooms and a breakfast/patio area.

Other hotels in the city include the 68-suite Best Western Plus Rose City Suites on Prince Charles Drive south of Lincoln Street and two others in the city’s north end, both on Niagara Street — Canada’s Best Value Inn by the Niagara Regional Exhibition grounds and Travelodge by Wyndham Welland close to Seaway Mall. Neither of those two hotels lists the number of rooms on their websites.

“Construction is a bit behind because of COVID-19. The contractors were doing so well, and then they were told they were not essential. They are solid builders,” said Hardcastle, adding the project was developed in conjunction with Burlington-based Chamberlain Architect Services Ltd.

With the Niagara 2021 Canada Summer Games coming one year from now, Hardcastle was asked if any groups were looking to book the hotel for the event.

Welland will play host to baseball, canoe-kayak, open water swimming and platform diving events.

“We’re going to meet with the Canada Games group. We will be supporting it and would love to be a part of it, but there’s nothing concrete right now,” she said.