Province pitches in for energy-efficient upgrades at Anchor Inn
by Jim Moodie
LITTLE CURRENT--Its walls may date back to the Victorian era, but its doors, windows and wiring are getting a 21st century makeover thanks to a boost from the province.
The provincial funding agency, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), has approved a funding grant that will provide the town with $1,473,915 to update and renovate its waterfront facilities.
Little Current's venerable Anchor Inn, a landmark of the town's mercantile sector for almost 120 years, has launched a major retrofit of its drafty apertures and aging electrical fixtures, with the Northern Ontario Heritage Foundation chipping in $32,750 towards the refurbishment.
"We are encouraging our northern partners to pursue clean, renewable energy capacity that will reduce their demand on external energy resources," explained Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci in a press release. "By supporting these kinds of initiatives, our government is promoting prosperity throughout Northern Ontario."
The funds, which were made available through the province's Northern Energy Program, will go towards "replacing electrical fixtures, windows, doors and air conditioners with new, more efficient models," the release notes.
Anchor proprietor Bruce O'Hare said that "the entire project is in excess of $100,000, so this is just 32.75 percent of the investment," adding that Hydro One is also contributing a portion of the cost for the new air conditioning units in the hotel.
"We've been at it for two years now," said Mr. O'Hare, who took over ownership of the inn with wife Kelly and partner Rob Norris 14 years ago. The project is not only the costliest one undertaken during the current trio's tenure, but "the largest single investment ever" in the history of the business, said Mr. O'Hare.
The incentives offered by the province helped convince the owners to sink a significant amount of capital into the overhaul, but so too did the recent surge in the local tourism scene. "It shows our confidence in the strength of the economy," said Mr. O'Hare. "We're in it for the long haul."
The owners can also anticipate a return on their investment in terms of lower energy bills. "It's important to get a handle on our utility costs," said Mr. O'Hare. "And if we reduce our costs, we can hire more people."
Meanwhile, they are doing their bit for the environment, which was also part of the motivation. "Reducing our signature on the environment is important to us," said Mr. O'Hare, noting that apart from installing efficient lighting and heat-retaining windows and doors, the hotel is also now using eco-friendly garbage bags that "turn everything into salt in the landfill."
Where possible, the Anchor has been utilizing local expertise to conduct the infrastructure improvements, although the new windows and doors will come from a company in Sudbury as suitable products aren't available on the Island.
In its press release, the province cites the Anchor investment as just one example of several recent commitments to the Manitoulin economy, including $3 million towards waterfront projects in Little Current and Gore Bay, and $9.7 million for the retrofit of the Chi-Cheemaun's engines.
For more information on how to apply to the Northern Energy Program, call 1-800-461-8329, or visit http://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/nohfc/program_nep_e.asp