The re-opening of the Coast Hotel and Conference Centre was celebrated in Kamloops on Thursday, Oct. 24, with a large number of guests, dignitaries, and media in attendance.
Owner Ron Mundi and Coast Hotels representatives were joined by Premier Christy Clark, Chief Shane Gottfriedson, Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc, The Honourable Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and M.L.A. Kamloops South, The Honourable Terry Lake, Minister of Health and M.L.A. Kamloops North-Thompson, and Kamloops Deputy Mayor Ken Christian.
In her address to the crowd, the Premier spoke about jobs and the economy, praising owner Ron Mundi as an example of people who work to create jobs and boost the economy in their own community.
“It’s all about having confidence in the future, knowing the city is going to grow, and that people will want to come and visit, and hopefully put down roots,” said Clark.
Mundi, who bought the hotel in 2011, said he has put $25 million into the venture, including $9-million in renovations and impressive upgrades into all areas of the hotel and its services.
Mundi is no stranger to the community of Barriere, having purchased the Barriere Motor Inn in the early 2000’s, and shortly after the Ghinty Service Station as well. After extensive renovations the hotel became part of the Knights Inn franchise, and the service station a Fas Gas. Mundi then moved his focus back to his Kamloops properties. The Knights Inn in Barriere is now managed by Raj Mahal, and the Fas Gas has become an Esso station and Subway, managed by Gurjant Gill.