The response to the COVID-19 pandemic has involved a temporary re-focusing of priorities for businesses large and small across all but the rarest of industries. Among those businesses is Brandon’s newest hotel-in-waiting as the city’s Holiday Inn Express works through final preparations in advance of its eventual opening.
Originally targeting early June to welcome its first guests, delays in construction as well as finishing/furnishing will push the completion date back according to Jeff Krivoshen, Chief Operating Officer of PR Hotels.
While work visibly continues at the site, construction timelines of such projects are altered by necessary social distancing practices to ensure a safe and healthy job site as well as the availability of trades who must at times travel. Also delayed is the receipt of items such as guest room furniture, originally scheduled for arrival this week but now delayed 4-6 weeks in connection with the shutdown of manufacturing plants.
All of this at a time when travel is anything but at the forefront with stay at home measures in place around the globe to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
“We are still working diligently to get it finished, and are still very excited to be bringing this beautiful new hotel property to the city of Brandon.” offered Krivoshen as part of a response to a recent inquiry on progress in the current climate. “We just want to make sure that we are doing it in a manner that is allowing for a safe and healthy job site / workplace; and is being respectful of the tremendous job that the people of Brandon have done, to keep the coronavirus cases to a minimum, in both the city and the region as a whole.”
Paving work is done on-site on Monday
With the present focus on safety for workers, prospective future visitors and the community, an opening this summer is hoped for in consistency with any eventual government plans as far as Public Health Orders in place.
Construction began last Winter, having progressed to the point where the hotel’s website began to accept early advanced bookings this past February. When open, the 116-room hotel will feature amenities that include a complimentary breakfast, indoor pool, fitness centre and business centre