06 May 2008
A defining feature of the recently renovated Crowne Plaza Lord Beaverbrook Hotel in downtown Fredericton, New Brunswick is its close proximity to the majestic Saint John River. However that same scenic location is also squarely in the flood plain of the powerful river and this afternoon (May 07-2008) the hotel reopens at full service for the first time in seven days as the clean-up continues from record-breaking floods in New Brunswick’s capital city.
“It is a testament to the emergency efforts of the city and the province, the leadership of the hotel’s management team and dedication of the staff that the Crowne Plaza Lord Beaverbrook reopens today, virtually free of any damage to guest related areas of the hotel,” Glenn Squires, CEO of management company Pacrim Hospitality Services Inc. (PHSI) said today. Last Wednesday (April 30, 2008) 200 guests were evacuated from the hotel as flood waters reached record levels in Fredericton. “The initial concern for the hotel was our guests and their safety and comfort…yet once each was settled the 24-7 battle against relentless rising water became the focus of the Crowne Plaza team,”
Mr. Squires said. Even Prime Minister Steven Harper could not be accommodated when he traveled to view damage in the area. The hotel’s General Manager Walther Lauffer and Regional Chief Engineer Ron Hebert lead the ’round the clock efforts of the staff of 120 people who kept guests and clients advised of the status of the closure and were determined to avoid significant property damage if at all possible. “In teams of 20, everyone from food and beverage and housekeeping staff to the sales team manned pumps and generators, moved furniture to higher ground and sand-bagged as required to ensure the Crowne Plaza is in a position to re-open today without any long-term damage to guests’ comfort and services,” GM Walter Lauffer said. All guest rooms, meeting areas, catering and dining area of the hotel have re-opened this afternoon. The new saltwater swimming pool will re-open tomorrow (Thursday) and the full service Arabesque Spa on Friday. “Even the parking lot, which spent days under 1.9 meters of water, has been cleared and swept.”
The hotel is owned by Aquilini Investments of Vancouver, British Columbia, “the principals of which have expressed their appreciation and admiration to the staff,” Glenn Squires added. Mr. Lauffer indicated that working on-site; it was clearly the “amazing combined efforts” of the City of Fredericton, the provincial Environment Department, the Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) and NB Power that managed a dangerous and difficult situation.
Pacrim Hospitality Services Inc. is one of Canada’s largest, privately-owned hotel management companies with a portfolio of some 60 hotels throughout Canada and the United States totaling more than 6,000 hotel rooms and suites. Pacrim Hospitality is the preferred management company of Holloway Lodging REIT and is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Pacrim manages 19 hotels in Atlantic Canada, seven of them in New Brunswick.
Intergy (a division of Pacrim) is a global, fully integrated e-commerce, central reservation company that specializes in the hospitality industry. This unique Pacrim enterprise further promotes Pacrim’s ability to gain a decisive competitive advantage and drive bottom line performance. In fact, Intergy clients average sales ranging from 3-10 additional occupancy points – one of the best rates in our industry – over their own marketing efforts. The result is innovative, integrated marketing and sales solutions that allow our clients to monitor, manage and improve return on investment.
To learn more about Intergy, their services and how Intergy can help your hotel. Visit them online; www.intergy.ca.