Developer Les Holdway maintains the proposed redevelopment of the Black Bridge Mill into a conference centre is small scale in nature.
Holdway, of South River Developments, explained the concept proposal to Puslinch councillors on May 15.
Last month, Puslinch and Cambridge residents expressed concerns with the project, which is in Cambridge but lies on the western boundary of Puslinch Township.
The plan to convert an existing building into a combination hotel, conference centre and restaurant drew a delegation of Cambridge residents to Puslinch council.
Holdway appreciated the chance for an informal discussion regarding the property, which fronts onto Townline Road.
Holdway noted he stood before Puslinch council over a decade ago discussing the proposal. He offered council illustrations of how the renovated mill would appear. He said the original sawmill was built in 1850.
Holdway said the overall project – phases one and two – includes 35 to 40 rooms. The final number is dependent on the number of rooms which will be used by the conference centre, he explained.
He said the new building will be constructed between two existing structures.
Holdway said he has owned several bed and breakfasts in the Elora area, and was the original developer behind the Fergus mill project (now St. Andrews Mill condos).
“Originally, it was going to be a conference centre. But the recession hit and my partner felt it would be better as condos,” said Holdway.
“But we did save the 67,000 square feet of building.”
He explained there was four years of restoration work before any new work could happen within the building.
Holdway said his original career was in the communications business. He met an engineer while at Ryerson and 15 years later began a small housing company.
In the 1990s, Holdway also worked for the federal government as a media advisor and one of the issues was the Free Trade Agreement.
Holdway said the Fergus location was intended to be a training centre and MPP Ted Arnott was one of the people behind the project.
“A lot of people thought there needed to be training for mid-level management who were already out in the business world, but did not have the time to go back to Wilfrid Laurier or wherever for six months to a year (for training).”
The intent was to set up three to five day training progams.
When the building shifted into condos, Holdway said he was told the concept was still a great idea.
He later purchased the Black Bridge Mill.
“I didn’t realize the servicing issues would be so extensive … and it has taken many years to resolve that.”
He added it was only six months ago he realized a portion of Townline Road, which the mill fronts, was partially owned by Puslinch Township.
Holdway stressed that this project is a much smaller scale than what was proposed for Fergus.
“I think there is absolutely the need to ramp up for Free Trade issues. We have a significantly high level of entrepreneurs willing to take part as lecturers or participants in these programs.”
Holdway said the current project includes a sloped seating lecture room.
In his previous experience, Holdway stated “everyone loved the Elora Mill and would stay for a week or two.”
“The retention rate was twice the average because people thought they were getting a holiday and so they were more agreeable to having to study a bit.”
But he stressed, there is still a need for proper facilities. That includes theatre seating.
The first phase would include a 75-person seating capacity while the second phase would double the capacity to 150. In the main mill, the original stone building, Holdway said there is room for at least 10 rooms and possibly up to 14.
The facility will include a dining area, the lecture hall and in the end, a chapel/conference room.
“The idea is that Monday to Friday, we’ll be doing business conferences. On the weekends, it will basically be a wedding getaway facility.”
He said recently issues have cropped up regarding traffic on the Black Bridge Road bridge.
Holdway estimated the number of cars using the conference centre between 30 to 60 a day. He noted a traffic study done 12 years ago considered that volume of traffic as insignificant.
He equated the volume to five or 10 minutes worth of traffic in the morning.
“Now it is a $5 million investment in the first phase of the project. It will create 12 full-time jobs and another 15-20 part-time rotating jobs.”
Holdway believed the conference centre is a good thing for the community.
“If this building is going to be rebuilt, it has to have a use which is viable and competitive.”
He pointed to a Price-Waterhouse study of small inns in Ontario which concluded that 35 to 40 overnight rooms were needed to make such facilities viable.
“I think this is a very modest project.”
Councillor Susan Fielding noted council had already heard from area residents.
“It is nice that you are explaining exactly what you are doing,” she said.
At the same time, Fielding was uncertain the explanation would alleviate concerns. Her understanding was that residents were concerned about a really big project coming in.
Holdway said the maximum room capacity would be 40 rooms. He added this would all happen within the existing building footprint.
Fielding said she was glad to hear of what was being proposed. “I keep hearing there are not enough meeting spaces (of this type) in the Waterloo-Wellington area.”
Holdway responded, “niche market conferencing is a huge need in Ontario.”
Councillor Wayne Stokley asked for more information on the traffic study.
Holdway suggested the addition of 850 homes to the area did make a dramatic change to traffic in the area.
Stokley said that Townline Road acts as a traffic funnel.
“I was amazed at the amount of traffic in the area.” He suggested another study be done to ensure the proposal will not affect residents.
Holdway noted 20 to 30 of the rooms would not be developed until the project’s second phase.
But the additional room means that people will be staying for longer.
Councillor Ken Roth said he thought it was a nice concept, but the subdivision was the largest source of the traffic concern.
“This is very minimal – but to residents it is just something else to add a nail in the coffin of congestion,” said Roth.
Holdway noted he was also given a list of local residents who are in favour of the project.
He stressed one of the things he is trying to promote “is a quiet getaway. I’m not looking for high volume.”
Mayor Dennis Lever asked about the property size.
The mill property is 5.5 acres. On the Puslinch side is 9 acres, most of which is pond.
Holdway said there is also another 12 acres along River Road.
Lever said residents were concerned that the view from their homes would be a parking lot with cars.
“Anything you can do to buffer that will do a lot to ease concerns,” he said.
