After sitting derelict for less than 2 years, the East Coulee Hotel will receive a turn-of-the-century revival before opening as a seafood restaurant if its owners have their way.
Hotel co-owner Len Gerrard spoke to council on Monday in a public hearing regarding the closure of the area around the exterior of the East Coulee Hotel in order to add a historic breezeway and balcony to its exterior.
Gerrard told council the expansion will make the future seafood restaurant wheelchair accessible and make the front of the building more presentable.
“It will make the building more attractive as well as give customers on the second floor access to a balcony,” said project engineer Ed Palm.
“It’ll bring tourism to the Atlas and enhance both East Coulee and the Drumheller valley.”
The revitalization wasn’t without opposition though, as council heard from Don Gerlinger, representing the estate of Elizabeth Gerlinger. He said the proposed road closure and expansion to the hotel will revive inherent issues with living beside a bar and devalue an estate property which the family wishes to sell.
After a fire destroyed the original building in the 1970s, council was told the hotel was rebuilt as close as four feet away from the residence.
“I think town decision makers should agree that commercial developments should not be allowed to devalue another property for resale or otherwise,” Gerlinger told council.
Gerlinger said the owners have approached the estate to purchase the property and negotiations are ongoing.
The public hearing’s transcript will be sent for the approval of Alberta’s Transportation Minister to approve the closure and could take up to 90 days.
