A redeveloped hotel in Port Hardy is revving up to serve as a tourism catalyst on northern Vancouver Island and to share and foster First Nation language and culture.
The 85-room Kwa’lilas Hotel held its opening ceremonies this week. It is owned and operated by the Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw First Nation.
Chief Paddy Walkus said the hotel is the “realization of a vision we had to proudly share all of who we are and where we come from as a people.”
The hotel is inspired by the traditional Big House, the centre of the community, he said. “Our roof features a smoke hole that vents steam as a signal to visitors that they are welcome to stay, rest and rejuvenate, at any time.”
“The project has lit a fire of excitement among our community as we realize today what is possible when we stay true to our ways and celebrate our origins.”
Work by First Nation artists is featured throughout the hotel and is for sale in its boutique.
The hotel used to be called the Port Hardy Inn. It has been completely redone at a cost of about $8 million, said Conrad Browne, CEO of the band’s K’awat’si Economic Development Corp.
The development corporation acted as the project’s general contractor, he said.
Kwa’lilas Hotel’s soft opening took place in March when about 200 people attended an Aboriginal Business Match event, he said. The hotel has 4,000 square feet of conference centre space.
It features a restaurant with 110 seats offering First Nation-inspired cuisine and a pub.
Training and jobs for Gwa’sala ’Nakwaxda’xw Nation members are a key part of this project. Browne expects more than half of the staff will be nation members.
During busy months, staff numbers will rise to 50 or more. Bookings are already strong for the summer, Browne said.
He is hoping that the hotel and its offerings will encourage guests to stay at least a couple of nights. Storm watching and fishing are among the menu of activities he listed for the off-season.
Kwa’lilas is the traditional word for “a place to sleep.”
The hotel and K’awat’si eco-tours and cultural experiences are available. These include boat and wildlife tours, a salt-water rapids and cultural tour, drum-making workshops, and cedar weaving.
The hotel is broadening economic opportunities for the nation, which has 1,100 members. The development corporation’s operations include logging, marine services and cold storage.
Culinary training is being set up with the hotel’s chef, Jevon Thow, in conjunction with North Island College, Browne said. As well, the hotel is working with Vancouver Island University to bring aboriginal tourism certificate students on site.
Dave Petryk, president and CEO of Tourism Vancouver Island, is in Port Hardy for a destination development strategy meeting.
He managed the Port Hardy Inn about 30 years ago and when he saw its transformation on Wednesday, he said: “It blew my mind. They have really done a wonderful job.”
The hotel will meet the needs of tourism wholesalers who had been seeking more upscale accommodation and possibly encourage other properties to upgrade as well, he said.
Port Hardy Mayor Hank Bood described the hotel as “absolutely gorgeous” and said it is a destination in itself.
