UPDATE: With over 50 years of rich history and celebrations, the Pinewood Park has a new ownership team of Jay Virdi and Garry Arora.
In 1960, John Kennedy wanted to create a holiday haven. He bought the small Evelyn Motel and 100 acres of property adjoining it. His vision included a great motel, dining room, nine-hole golf course, large tent and trailer park, with a small museum and zoo on the grounds.
When the golf course proved to be more popular than camping, the tent and trailer park was converted into the back nine. John Kennedy’s vision became a reality and the Pinewood Park became the best Motor Inn in Northern Ontario.
“We are very excited to move to North Bay and invest in this iconic landmark. We arrived late last week and are now connecting with the amazing Pinewood Park team to lay out the roadmap for the future” stated Jay Virdi, Managing Director for the Pinewood Park Resort and Conference Centre.
Sue Ray, General Manager and Jacques (Jake) Lacourse, Assistant General Manager of the Pinewood Park are excited about the new ownership team and the investment they are making in the area and the facility. “Since the change, the new ownership team have quickly committed to an improvement plan that includes a facelift to the exterior and the modernization of the banquet halls and lighting throughout the facility. It will be a breath of fresh air to be able to work locally, on the ground with Mr. Virdi and Mr. Arora on these improvements and the growth of the Pinewood Park Resort and Conference Centre”, said Ray.
Garry Arora and Jay Virdi have been part of the hospitality industry for years and have successful properties globally says a news release.
This experience, combined with a committed local team, will tap into the storied history that the Pinewood Park Resort and Conference Centre is known for. “Our first step is to meet each of the staff, thank them for their continued dedication and provide them the tools they need to give all of our guests an experience of a lifetime. We are excited to meet the community and be part of the fabric of this beautiful region”, said Garry Arora, Managing Director for the Pinewood Park Resort and Conference Centre.
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Original story: One of the city's landmark hotels, the Clarion Resort Pinewood Park in the south end of North Bay has new owners today.
The hotel was sold Friday and will remain operating as usual for the time being. The property comes with an 18 hole executive golf course.
The new owners are from Toronto.
The hotel has a year-round outdoor heated pool, a hot tub and a sauna. Other amenities include a full-service spa, a golf course and event facilities, plus 24/7 snowmobile storage. Dining options feature a pub-style grill, and a course-view restaurant and bar with patio seating.
