The Slumber Lodge’s owner said he plans to appeal a demolition order issued by the city.
“I have someone who is willing to move in and try to make a business of it for me,” said the 86-year-old owner, John Carhoun, from his home in Vancouver, noting the motel is well-built and worth fixing up.
“We are ready to spend money on it,” he said. “We have a building permit application in to get it back to operation as soon as possible.”
Carhoun said it is better to fix it up than tear it down and have an empty lot.
“It’s never going to be a top of the class motel, but it’s a good sound building and wasn’t cheaply built.”
Carhoun spent 20 years in Prince George and built motels there and has experience in the business.
He purchased the Slumber Lodge in 1996 for his daughters.
At the regular council meeting July 21, council voted in favour of the demolition order.
Upon receipt of the order by registered mail, Carhoun has 14 days to respond.
Since June 2012 the Slumber Lodge has been boarded up after the city made the request.