Microtel announces new hotel for Summerside's Credit Union Place

Construction could start as early as this fall on a new 100-room hotel that will be attached to Credit Union Place in Summerside, P.E.I.

The Microtel Inn and Suites will be built on the southwest portion of the CUP grounds, according to Glenn Squires, CEO of Caboteer Hospitality. Hesaid the hope is to capitalize on existing attractions at the CUP.

"It's got the pool.It's got the the gym facilities.It's got a large meeting space.It's got restaurants," Squires said. "So that allows us to keep our construction costs down and with covered access from the hotel to Credit Union Place ... it's going to be like one facility."

As for the cost of the rooms, Squires saidthe plan is to charge more than local competitors. The company has been doing research and is optimistic about demand for the type of hotel it plans to build.

"Obviously the location is worth the premium," he said.

"We've found in many other communities when we do that, it actually provides an opportunity for many of the competition to increase their rates as well."

Hotel will be 'missing piece of the puzzle' for city

The City of Summersidehas been trying to woo a hotel company for several years. It first got into talks with CaboteerHospitality two years ago.

"This development is the missing piece of the puzzle to continue to grow our venue's offerings, host additional and larger signature events, grow our meetings and convention segment, and support our growing sport and event tourism sector," said J. P. Desrosiers, the director of community services for the City of Summerside, in a news release.

Mayor Basil Stewart said the hotel was being built without government support.

A covered breezeway will connect the hotel to the main lobby of the CUP. The operation is expected to create more than 30 full- and part-time jobs.

Construction is scheduled to start this fall or early in the spring, with the hotel opening in 2021.

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