One of Thunder Bay's largest and more prominent hotels is changing hands.
The Brandon, Man.-based hotel management company Genesis Hospitality has announced the sale of the Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre to Naagaaniiyang Limited Partnership.
Naagaaniiyang's two majority shareholders are Michipicoten First Nation near Wawa and Naicatchewenin First Nation, located 50 kilometres northwest of Fort Frances. A number of other investors are also involved.
Genesis had operated the Arthur Street property for the past three decades.
In a brief statement, Genesis expressed its gratitude to the community for supporting the hotel since it took it over in December 1993.
"It was a great pleasure to serve as a major partner to Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario ... The hotel flourished with a very successful banquet department and major catering partner to Fort William Historical Park," said Genesis' executive vice-president, Kevin Swark.
"As well, we would like to thank all those guests that supported Chicago Joe's Restaurant and Sports Bar and to the raving fans that continued to vote our chicken wings the best of the city."
Genesis Hospitality owns and operates 11 hotels in Manitoba, Hamilton, the Greater Toronto Area and Alberta.
According to information provided by a hospitality management company that's working with Naagaaniiyang, the new owners have no immediate plans to renovate the hotel, as improvements were made in 2016.
But, Globex Management said, "the owners intend to keep the hotel and grounds in good condition," and planning for a future renovation of the 182-room property will get underway in 2024.
— TBnewswatch
