Having dealt with substantial delays in the past, Brian Blackmere of Pearle Hospitality remains hopeful for a 2016 ‘soft opening’ of the north side Elora Mill buildings.
Recently, the Wellington Advertiser had a chance to briefly speak with Blackmere at the June 20 Fergus-Elora Doors Open event, where portions of the historic main building were open for public viewing.
Though some delays in the progress of the project were attributed to certain heritage-minded individuals in the community, Blackmere said the greater challenges were those of meeting the requirements of the Grand River Conservation Authority and the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Because of its location on the banks of the Grand River, most of the project is considered flood plain.
The long term goal of the project will see development along both sides of the Grand River and will include expanded hotel facilities, conference centre, banquet hall, wedding chapel, condominiums and commercial space.
The south end proposal also includes expanded parking to accommodate the increase level of traffic created.
He considered on major hurdle recently overcome was permission to convert the former stable building into a spa.
Another was permission to replace the cantalivered balcony with a three-storey atrium along the Grand River with views of both the Tooth of Time and the Elora Gorge.
Instead of simply being an attachement of the building, Blackmere said additional footings below willl provide that structure with more stability.
Blackmere remains ambitious with the goals for the north end structures.
“We are hoping to get a building permit in August or September … if all goes well.”
Even so, Blackmere anticipates a full year of construction of the north end buildings.
The intent is to undertake work to all those buildings at the same time.
These include the historic mill hotel building, spa in the former stables, the guest cottage and the grainery building at the intersection of Mill and Price Streets.
“We can’t just do it piecemeal.”
He is anticipating a soft opening for the north end buildings in later 2016.
Blackmere added that the goal is to get the north side of the Elora Mill operationals as soon as feasibly possible.
“We made that committment to the business community.”
Blackmere admitted there will some operational challenges.
Until work is completed on the south side of the development, parking will be at a premium.
“We will have to think creatively,” he stated.
That may involve a shuttle service for hotel patrons to parking areas elsewhere in the community or potentially even the Grand River Raceway.
Blackmere also noted that once the north end work is complete, work could begin on the south side of the Elora Mill project as early as 2017.
On the south side of the river, the project includes the lands generally in the area of Carleton and Ross Streets stretching along the river as far as the lands owned by the GRCA.
As noted in a previous Advertiser story, Centre Wellington Township recently hired a consultant to help speed things along in the planning process.
