THUNDER BAY — Nearly a year after the Finnish Labour Temple and Hoito Restaurant were destroyed by fire, Brad McKinnon has successfully pivoted from his original plan for renovating the historic structure to laying the foundation for a completely new build.
McKinnon, the owner of BK Realty Development, says the devastating fire "still bites."
"It still hurts," he said, "because there was a lot of time and energy and dedication put into rebuilding the original Hoito."
But in an interview Monday at the construction site at Bay Street and Algoma Street, he said he believes the replacement structure "is going to be fantastic when it's completed."
A firm schedule for finishing various elements of the project is hard to establish at this point, McKinnon said.
"It's really hard in today's economy and today's situation, with available labour and material shortages and those sorts of things. Are we on time? I'd like to be a little bit farther ahead but I think we've accomplished a lot when you consider the building burned down Dec. 22 of last year," he said.
"We've done quite well."
McKinnon said he appreciates the ongoing support of businesses and members of the community.
"We've had a lot of interest, which is very encouraging. A lot of people asking, a lot of people wanting to be the first ones in. It's very encouraging for someone like myself taking a chance and building a structure this size."
Even local contractors see the importance of the project to the community, McKinnon said, noting in particular the contributions of Guadagnolo Construction with demolition and excavacation, and of A1 Concrete, which "When no one else had concrete, kept the concrete flowing on this project and enabled us to get what they called 'a community project' done."
The foundation and underground parking area for Phase 1 of the new building have been completed, but framing won't happen until warmer weather returns.
McKinnon's plan for the structure is to essentially replicate the original front half of the Finnish Labour Temple including the tower and cupola.
The Finlandia Cooperative will also lease space to reopen the iconic Hoito Restaurant.
A ground-level commercial section will be added, fronting on both Bay Street and Algoma Street.
The commercial section is expected to include a variety of businesses including retail shops, boutiques and restaurant space
With Phase 2, there will be enough underground parking for about 30 vehicles
