LUNENBURG - A local developer is looking to build what is likely the most ambitious project the Town of Lunenburg has ever seen.

 Guenther and Susan Reibling of Stellar Investments made an application for the issuance of a development agreement in January which, if approved, would pave the way for a major resort hotel complex to be constructed on three lots located at 101 Masons Beach Road next to the Bluenose Golf Club.

 The proposed complex includes a 60-room, 120-bed resort hotel with restaurant, spa and indoor pool, as well as 60 condominiums of various sizes and 30 one-bedroom apartments.

 Stellar Investment's solicitor, Patrick Burke, told council last week that the development would be done in phases and sub-phases, with the condominium aspect expected to be the first undertaken.

 "It may take some time before they actually start the process of building. Because of the nature of it, one tends to pre-sell, for example, a certain number of condominiums before you actually start construction of the building, and that may take a period of time," Mr. Burke said, adding that the start date may realistically be as much as five years away due to the nature and size of the development.

 Mr. Reibling said that the current plan is to build the condominiums first at the back of the property, and build out from there with the hotel portion being the final phase, as that is the most difficult part of the development to proceed with.

 He said studies have shown that hotels in Nova Scotia have an average occupancy rate of 47 per cent, a figure he believes to be inflated by the inclusion of facilities located in Halifax "who obviously have a lot more [guests] than we do.

 "It will take some time to impart the vision we have for the property over there, also other people like banks, like investors who are eyeing those units," he explained.

 Council voted to send the application to the planning advisory committee which will set a date for a public information session on the proposal. That is expected to take place sometime in September or early October.

 Mayor Laurence Mawhinney said the development is one which council first became aware of several months ago, and the time has come for the public to see exactly what Stellar Investments is proposing.

 "I think this is a concept that will stir a considerable amount of interest in the community," he said.

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posted on 09/07/10