Town hopes to attract new hotel

The Town of Black Diamond is working to attract a family-style hotel chain to the community and is looking for input from local groups who host events.

The Town’s economic development committee has been compiling information to send to family-style hotel chains to see if they would be interested in opening a location in Black Diamond. At its regular meeting Nov. 2, town council approved the committee’s plan to circulate a hotel feasibility survey to various community groups who host events to determine the need for accommodations.

Coun. Mike Ross, the committee’s council representative, said the group was about halfway through compiling the information to send to the hotels, and has identified three suitable locations in town.

“They’re really, really working hard on it,” he said.

Coun. Judy Thompson said it was an excellent idea, noting how high school students from all over the province attended a recent volleyball tournament in town and some had to stay in Turner Valley and Okotoks because there were not enough accommodations in Black Diamond.

“Everybody was aware of the fact we need accommodation in the community to facilitate hockey tournaments and high school tournaments and Legion tournaments and all that other stuff,” Ross said after the meeting, explaining how the committee has been working on the hotel project for the past six months.

With one hotel in Black Diamond with 10 rooms and one in Turner Valley often booked by rig crews, there is virtually no available family accommodation in town, he said.

Ross noted there are a few bed and breakfasts in town, but said he didn’t think a new hotel or motel would damage their business because they cater to a different clientele.

A new hotel or motel would benefit the entire foothills, because it could allow for opportunities to host large events in the area, he added.

Oilfields Curling Club manager Mike Libbus said the group hosts many bonspiels and often considers whether visitors will have somewhere to stay when promoting events in certain areas.

He said the club doesn’t feel completely comfortable recommending some local accommodations and doesn’t know their capacity levels. Some people stay in Okotoks or drive back home, he explained.

At a wedding he was involved with last year, 375 people attended and many had to stay in Okotoks, he added.

“I believe both Turner Valley and Black Diamond are in a big need for a hotel,” he said.

Libbus said the curling club would be more likely to host more events if there was another hotel in town.

“I don’t know how much business it would get because, again, we don’t know how many events are in the area that need these type of facilities, but I know it’s tough to have to send people to Okotoks to look for a hotel.”

Carmen Ditzler, who is part of the Millarville Race Track management team, said she knows some visitors have to stay in Okotoks because is was not enough accommodation locally.

Some vendors attending the Millarville Christmas Market need overnight accommodations because they travel a great distance, she said. Visitors have also asked her where to stay, and since bed and breakfasts are not always for everyone, a family hotel would provide a good option, she said.

Ditzler said it would be interesting to consider developing a tourism package that includes accommodation and local activities.

Black Diamond Hotel owner Sandy Colson said the hotel is not often at capacity, although sometimes in the summer they have to turn people away and it can also be busy for one or two nights if there is a special event in town.

She said another hotel could help accommodate the busy times, but on an average day there is not enough business to keep another hotel going.

“I believe competition is very good for every type of business, but when you sit empty, bringing in another place for a hockey league or a soccer league, that’s dangerous because it’s empty,” she explained.

Black Diamond is often a place for weddings and reunions, but not much of a tourist destination, she added.

Colson noted how opening a hotel is a large investment and a developer won’t pursue it if there is not enough business.