THUNDER BAY – An entrepreneur looking to open the first hostel within city limits is urging council to move quickly to amend room size requirements in a bylaw that would allow the desired building to fulfill the necessary legal parameters.
Holly Watson, who is the president and chief executive officer of The Haven Hostel, appeared before Thunder Bay city council on Monday seeking an exception to the lodging house bylaw to allow for a variance on room size that would allow an Ambrose Street building she has a conditional offer to purchase be suitable for the business.
Currently, there is no city bylaw specifically for hostels with the closest existing municipal legal framework applying to lodging houses. The room sizes within the proposed building fall short of the dimensions outlined in the lodging house bylaw.
“The room size requirements for a lodging house, which is a long-term residential option, are too large for what a hostel requires,” Watson said. “People will not be living in the hostel. They will be staying an average of one to two nights with daily cleaning services.”
Watson said preparing the business plan has been a one-year process and has involved with various organizations such as the Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund, PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise, Thunder Bay Tourism and the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission’s start-up program.
The location will provide guests with a walkable stay to the north downtown core, as well as have access to city transit, Watson said.
“The hostel will be offering value added rentals and partnerships with other local businesses to help fuel our downtown economy and serve as a base camp for outdoor activities,” she said.
Watson said she has stayed at more than 50 hostels worldwide and credited those accommodations for allowing her to have less expensive stays and travel more frequently.
“A hostel functions similarly to a hotel for social travellers but has many more unique functions,” Watson said. “There are a mixture of private rooms with en suites that face the Sleeping Giant specifically in this building on the second floor and also dormitory rooms of two or three bunk beds that can be purchased wholly or separately.”
Watson described the dormitory style rooms like those on rail cars, which include elements of privacy and large lockers. There would also be a large window and personal electrical outlets for each occupant.
“Many hostels nationally and globally typically have more bunks in a room than we will be offering,” Watson said. “This idea is to remain small, comfortable and have everyone feeling right at home and getting a good night’s sleep.”
She told council the conditional offer to purchase the building will expire on May 17.
“Should the variance not be met, the business will not materialize in this space and an opportunity will be delayed or lost,” Watson said.
City bylaw manager James Coady provided a memo to council, where he recommended granting the variance.
Coun. Iain Angus said he intends to bring a motion forward to council at next week’s meeting.
