Grand Chief Ron Derrickson says he plans to build a 120-room hotel and conference centre next to his Two Eagles Golf Course.
(ADAM PROSKIW / iNFOnews.ca)
June 03, 2015 - 7:31 PM
WEST KELOWNA – If Grand Chief Ron Derrickson gets his way, West Kelowna could become a major destination for First Nations business people across North America.
He is in the early planning stages of a luxury hotel and conference centre on his 5.5-acre property next to Two Eagles Golf Course off Carrington Road in West Kelowna.
While still early in the lengthy process, he says it could be built and running within a few years.
“We’re just meeting with architects now, but it’ll happen,” he says. “It’s going to be aimed at the Native business community.”
Derrickson says early plans are for at least 120 suites and conference rooms for between 25 and 250 people. A key design feature of the development, which he plans to call Two Eagles Hotel, will be the inclusion of First Nation art gathered from across B.C.
“Each room will be assigned to a Native artist,” he says. “There will be a different artist’s name with their art in that room.”
Derrickson, who is on an international book tour promoting his novel Unsettling Canada: A National Wake-Up Call, also envisions a grand entrance leading to the hotel, lined with totem poles as well as First Nation art throughout the building.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015