The Northbridge Hotel will be managed by ASK Wellness until the City of Kamloops finds a long-term operator.

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The City of Kamloops has chosen an interim operator for the Northbridge Hotel.

ASK Wellness Society will manage the property at 377 Tranquille Rd. for the hotel's residents until the City has determined a "longer-term" property manager and building operator, according to a letter sent to neighbouring residents.

The deal was finalized Oct. 25, according to the letter which was then sent to residents on Oct. 27.

The Northbridge Hotel was purchased by the City for $7.1 million. The purchase was was officially announced on Oct. 1.

"The City has recently asked us to provide property management services at 377 Tranquille. This is taking place on an interim basis, while the City conducts an RFP (request for proposal) process. ASK will strictly be providing property management to support the existing tenants who reside at 377 Tranquille, with no additional programming being provided during this time," ASK Wellness spokesperson Andrina Tenisci said in an emailed statement.

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The funds for the purchase came from the City's Housing Reserve Fund, with the expectation the hotel property will eventually be sold to a private developer for market housing.

"When redevelopment occurs in the coming years, the City and B.C. Housing will work together to support you in finding an affordable housing option that meets your needs," the letter, written by City of Kamloops social, housing and community development manager Carmin Mazzotta, reads.

The property behind the hotel at 346 Campbell Ave. was also included in the sale, a property that was once planned to host a day space for the homeless.

Although Envision, the day space on that property, never materialized, the property is being eyed for a future affordable housing development in a handshake agreement with B.C. Housing.

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Residents at the Northbridge Hotel will make rent payments to ASK Wellness Society as of Oct. 27.

iNFOnews.ca reached out to the city staff could not immediately reply to a request for comment.

— This story was updated at 8:38 a.m., Oct. 29, 2021, with a statement from ASK Wellness Society.

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