A bit of prairie historical past is coming again to life a few half-hour’s drive northeast of Calgary.
Work is nicely underway on the previous Irricana Resort. It’s a giant venture in a small city and never everybody’s satisfied it’s well worth the effort.
The constructing’s been a fixture in town of Irricana’s predominant road because it went up in 1905.
The resort’s proprietor, Kerry Tucker, mentioned the restoration venture is one thing he couldn’t resist tackling.
“I’m a heritage type of man and once I noticed this previous constructing, I figured it could be a great factor to catch for myself and for the neighborhood,” Tucker mentioned. “There aren’t many aged buildings left on this province anymore.”
The constructing has been empty and derelict for the previous twenty years.
“It’s superb that they’re doing one thing for the city,” Irricana resident Tracey Ennis mentioned. “Bringing again one thing that’s so cool: an previous resort.”
Tucker mentioned he’s spent about $270,000 on the venture to this point, planning to ultimately put in round $550,000.
Tucker intends to reopen the constructing with a bar and café on the primary degree.
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“An authentic piano, the previous furnishings — it’s being saved for the venture,” Tucker mentioned. ”We’re going to avoid wasting the murals inside. It’s all going again into the venture as a lot as we are able to, to make this genuine.”
Tucker is internet hosting a public assembly in Irricana on Saturday, March 23, to fill townspeople in on how issues are going with the resort’s restoration.
“There’s lots of misunderstandings. Folks considering it’s the taxpayer paying for it,” Tucker mentioned. “I’m paying for it, no one else, not one of the public has to fret.”
The assembly will even present a chance for public enter on the venture.
“Any solutions are welcome,” Tucker mentioned. “Something from the neighborhood could be nice.”
Some Irricana residents marvel how the resort restoration could be a viable proposition in a city of about 1200 individuals.
“It’s not prefer it a historic constructing, actually,” Brian Ashley mentioned. “I’m imply, it’s a field. To me it was a teardown.”
There are additionally questions on Tucker’s hopes that the renovated constructing will assist draw guests to Irricana.
“It’s type of an eyesore, with how lengthy it’s been that approach, all dilapidated,” Domanic-Ryan Bennett mentioned. “I don’t see it bringing a lot tourism.”
Tucker’s hoping to open the doorways to his café by September 2024, optimistic that he’ll be capable of entice clients.
“(We’ll have) horses driving by means of. That’s a convention, annually, and we’re going to do it once more,” Tucker mentioned. “We bolstered the ground so it might take a horse.”
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