Sydney Days Inn in Receivership

Written by Bobby Nock. Posted in Local News

The Sydney Days Inn has gone into receivership.

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers has been appointed receiver of the King’s Road hotel and the company has hired Holloway Lodging in Halifax to oversee its management during the search for a new owner.

 

The hotel was owned by investors based in Vancouver and Surrey B.C. that also own the Days Inn in Dartmouth, which is in receivership, as well.

 

Holloway Lodging Atlantic VP, Ian Hurst says that business was down at the Sydney hotel over the winter and it didn’t draw enough guests to make it profitable.

 

He adds his company will be in charge of maintaining and upgrading hotel equipment as well as providing sales support and online marketing.

 

No employees have been laid off as a result of the receivership

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Clarke Makes Bevy of Announcements On Port-Related Initiatives

Written by Dave Desveaux. Posted in Local News

Mayor Cecil Clarke announced a series of economic development initiatives during a private luncheon in Sydney today. Clarke first revealed that the construction and engineering group Bechtel is in the CBRM exploring possibilities for port development. The San Francisco-based company and several unnamed partners have committed to funding two-thirds of a 650,000 dollar feasibility study to look at the possibilities and costs associated with a potential terminal handling facility in Sydney. Clarke says that funding commitment will allow the municipality to secure other sources of funding for the project. Bechtel representatives were not present at today’s announcement, though Clarke says that the company’s engineers are currently scoping out the Greenfield property at Sydport, where it’s hoped that a major port operation will be developed. Clarke also revealed today that the municipality has applied for three million dollars through Transport Canada’s Gateway Borders and Crossings Fund to support a proposed three-year plan to market the port. In addition, it was announced that marine transportation company McKiel Marine is hoping to make an investment in the port, details of which Clarke said will be made public in the coming days and months. The investment will be facilitated by the municipality’s proposed 1.2 million dollar purchase of 24 acres of property from Sydport Operations and East Coast Metal Fabricators. That property would then be leased to McKiel Marine for 20 years. Council is expected to vote on the plan in the near future.

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TechLink Head Wants Meeting With Community Leaders

Written by Dave Desveaux. Posted in Local News

The head of gaming technology company TechLink is calling on local businesspeople and politicians to come to a meeting tomorrow to discuss the Sydney company’s closure.

TechLink suspended operations on Friday, throwing about 30 people out of work.

However, company founder and chief executive John Xidos says in a news release the situation is “resolvable with the right level of understanding, co-operation and support among key parties.

The company has received millions of dollars in government funding during its 20 years of operations.

Xidos says the closure was caused by financial shortfalls but hasn’t been available to speak with local media to elaborate.

 

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Councillors Want Exit Interview With Whalley

Written by Dave Desveaux. Posted in Local News

At least two Regional Councillors are calling for an in-camera meeting with recently resigned economic development officer John Whalley.

Whalley stepped down on Thursday after being pulled from the port development file.

Both Ray Paruch and Eldon MacDonald think Whalley should appear before council for an exit interview.

Paruch says he has grave concerns about what’s happening with the port file that Whalley worked on during his 18-year career.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for Mayor Cecil Clarke says there will be no exit-interview with Whalley.

Christina Lamey adds the CBRM still has strong oversight on the port file with CAO Michael Merritt chairing the new Sydney Ports Corp. board and Marlene Usher as its CEO.

Paruch is also critical of Mayor Clarke’s in-camera meeting with council today to brief councillors on his announcement tomorrow that’s expected to include news on port development.

Paruch says councillors weren’t given an agenda in advance of the meeting so they could prepare.

He adds he doesn’t think Clarke should be making tomorrow’s announcement at a sold-out luncheon were people are paying nearly 35 dollars a plate to hear what he has to say.

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Sydney Doctor Being Tried On Sexual Assault Charge

Written by Dave Desveaux. Posted in Local News

A trial is due to start today for a Sydney doctor charged with sexual assault.

65 year-old Dayananda Kodagoda is accused of committing the offence in August of 2013.  Kodagoda continues his release on conditions, including that he not perform examinations on female patients without another female in the room. The Health Authority says that the condition applies at all of its facilities. Kodagoda’s trial is now slated to run until Friday.

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