Oak Bay Marine Group’s Canadian Princess Lodge in Ucluelet has been sold to a Nanaimo family.
Bob and Sue Se took over the 46-room Canadian Princess this week and their daughter, Michelle Se, has been appointed manager. Neither Oak Bay Marine Group nor the Se family disclosed the purchase price of the resort.
“We are very hands-on owners,” Michelle Se said, noting the family has bought a home in Ucluelet. The Se family bought the Travelodge hotel in Nanaimo five years ago.
The Canadian Princess Lodge acquisition does not include the Canadian Princess vessel, which had been used by the lodge as a restaurant location.
Susan Barcham, spokeswoman for the Oak Bay Marine Group, said the ship will be removed from Ucluelet’s harbour and dismantled this fall by a professional company, who will ensure that it is done properly and that the work complies with environmental standards.
Barcham said some of the more historic pieces from the interior of the ship will be donated to the Ucluelet Historical Society and other maritime organizations that have expressed interest.
“The stories and memories that were built from this operation form an important and substantial part of Oak Bay Marine Group’s history, and the town of Ucluelet itself,” Susan Barcham.
The 1932-built vessel was originally named the William J. Stewart. It was based out of Victoria and used to chart B.C.’s coast.
In 1944, the vessel was severely damaged when it hit Ripple Rock near Campbell River. In 1979, the Oak Bay Marine Group purchased the ship and towed it to Ucluelet, giving it the name Canadian Princess.
Oak Bay Marine Group founder Bob Wright died in 2013. The Ucluelet lodge and two other hotels — April Point Resort on Quadra Island and Painter’s Lodge at Campbell River — were put up for sale in February as the company decided to focus on its marina operations.
Meanwhile, renovations and a new roof are planned for the Canadian Princess Lodge, Se said.
The new owners plan to “really put our time and effort and TLC into the rooms and the property itself,” she said. The aim is to focus on a family-friendly environment and activities.
After the ship is removed, the marina will be rebuilt with slips available for rent, Se said.
Fishing charters were operated through the hotel in the past, but the lodge will not be in that business in the future, she said.
Se plans to put together adventure tourism packages for lodge guests and partner with local businesses.
