Marble draws no interest in latest government effort to off-load ski resort
The government of Newfoundland and Labrador is still struggling to off-load a seasonal tourism destination on the island's west coast, after receiving no public interest in its latest effort to sell off Atlantic Canada's largest ski resort.
Marble Mountain Resort resides in Steady Brook, just west of Corner Brook. It's currently owned and operated by the provincial government, which has made several attempts to sell the operation.
In June 2018, the province issued a request for proposal in hopes of drumming up a buyer. The RFP was cancelled in July 2021 after only three submissions were received.
In August, an expression of interest for the purchase or long-term lease of the resort was issued. Former tourism minister Steve Crocker told CBC News at the time that two parties expressed interest.
In February, the province issued a new RFP for the sale of the resort. Tourism Minister Fred Hutton said the government received no bids.
"We're sort of back to square one," Hutton said. "We weren't completely surprised by this."
WATCH | What's next for Marble Mountain:
No bidders for Marble Mountain…. again
3 hours ago
Duration 1:48
No interest
The sale of Marble Mountain was recommended by both former premier Andrew Furey's economic recovery team and a 2022 review of provincial assets performed by multinational bank and financial services company Rothschild and Co.
Hutton said the province would like to see the property become a privately owned four-season resort — a vision, he says, requires a private investor.
"People have been doing other things around Marble Mountain for years," Hutton said. "It's just a matter of marketing that and having the right people behind it and the right investment that private would bring to it."
In the meantime, the 2025 provincial budget has committed to funding Marble Mountain through its 2025-26 winter season.
Hutton said the facility is a cornerstone of tourism on Newfoundland's west coast.
"Over the last five years we've committed to about $4.5 million dollars in capital investments in addition to the operating fund that the province gives to the ski hill each and every year," he said, adding that the province remains committed to keeping the resort open.
"If a private investor comes in and has some sort of different vision, that's why we want to talk to the stakeholders."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
New Wheatley plans pave path for a revitalized downtown
Officials released new plans on Saturday to breathe new life into Wheatley, almost four years after the explosion. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) Nearly four years after an explosion rocked the community of Wheatley, officials are charting a course to turn the wreckage into a welcoming space. Residents gathered at the explosion site in the downtown core Saturday morning for the release of the new conceptual plans. 'This town rallied, it supported neighbours, it asked hard questions, it collaborated and above all, it never gave up on what could be,' Darrin Canniff, the Mayor of Chatham-Kent, told a crowd of more than 200 people. 070625 About 200 people walked the lot in downtown Wheatley, where an explosion levelled several buildings in 2021. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) Dignitaries from all three levels of government and representatives from frontline stakeholders spoke on the lengthy recovery process needed to restore Wheatley. Moving forward, Canniff predicted the town would become the fastest-growing community in Chatham-Kent. 'We're here today to dream a dream of the future of Wheatley, of what it can be,' Canniff said. 'I believe in this community that five years, ten years from now, we will look back and say, wow, look at how amazing this community is.' On July 19, 2021, an emergency was declared in Wheatley following the detection of Hydrogen Sulfide gas. The following month, on Aug. 26, an explosion occurred at 15 Erie Street North and expanded the emergency evacuation zone. In 2024, following site demolition, a successful investigation, and the plugging of an uncovered well, municipal officials deemed the emergency order over. Developed by Fotenn Planning and Design, two conceptual plan options released on Saturday feature a heavy incorporation of green space, gardens and places for people to gather. The space would be anchored by the many small businesses that fill the downtown core. Howard Gabert, the chair of the Wheatley Task Force, told CTV News they are still working to decide the fate of existing infrastructure on the property. As of Saturday, a scrubbing system and an abandoned wellhead were still visible at the site. 'So, that's what the two designs are, one of them retains it on an above-ground structure for managing the scrubber system, while the other one has a design that doesn't incorporate all of that,' Gabert said. Last year, council approved the acquisition of buildings affected by the explosion, beginning the demolition process and paving the way forward for a streamlined process. Because of Wheatley's ties to the water and fishing, one design plans for a boat in the park's core. Gabert said the designs are heavily fuelled by community feedback they've received. 'I think what you see in the design is elements of appreciation for nature, you'll have systems that are going to integrate into the community and to be what we're referring to as Wheatley's backyard,' Gabert added. After a long road, Gabert said they are looking forward to moving past the 'tragic' event. With solidified funding from the province, Gabert said there's hope work can begin in the coming months while they continue to solidify the final design. -With files from CTV's Chris Campbell.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Local unemployment rate up to 6.9 per cent in May
London's unemployment rate is rising as people struggle to find work in the current labour market. According to Statistics Canada, the jobless rate in the region rose half a percentage point to 6.9 per cent in May. Approximately 1,700 jobs were lost locally, amid trade tensions with the United States. Nationally, unemployment has increased for three consecutive months, reaching seven per cent in May. This is the highest unemployment rates have been in nearly a decade, with 1.6 million people unemployed.
Calgary Herald
2 hours ago
- Calgary Herald
Alberta gives U.S. liquor imports thumbs-up
Stores in Alberta can now sell newer American liquor products after a provincial agency ended a three-month pause ignited by a tariff dispute between Canada and the U.S. Article content The directive came from the province as Canada shifts its approach from retaliating to negotiating with its southern neighbour on economic policies. Article content Article content Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally, in a statement on Friday night, said the government's decision heralds a 'renewed commitment to open and fair trade with our largest partner.' Article content Article content 'The decision sets the stage for more constructive negotiations ahead of a Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement renewal, potentially leading to increased trade opportunities and economic growth for Alberta,' Nally added. Article content Article content The decision concerns liquor products registered with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis agency (AGLC) and declared to the Canada Border Services Agency. A 25 per cent surtax will continue to be levied on those items shipped from the U.S. after March 4 and will be collected by the provincial agency. Article content Article content Ravinder Singh, a manager at ACE Liquor Discounters Edmonton Trail, said the decision likely won't affect the store's sales, as the shop's inventory still holds enough stock of older American products. Article content The move to ban the sale of American liquor was made in early March amid escalating trade tensions. Article content Article content 'If the Americans aren't going to buy products from our Canadian companies, we have to,' Premier Danielle Smith said at the time. Article content 'That means we should be buying more Canadian beer, more Canadian spirits and more Canadian wine. And so that's the reality of what we're facing.' Article content The ban was lifted March 18, but the sales were confined to AGLC's central locations. Article content Singh said the demand for American products dropped after March owing to a wave of patriotism across the country. Whereas the store sold them daily, the products are now being bought twice or thrice a week, even three months after the pause.
