The Delta St. John’s is now the largest hotel and conference center in Atlantic Canada, thanks to a $15 million expansion by owner/operator Fortis Properties.

The capital improvement project, which is 99 per cent complete, entailed the construction of a 128-room extension to the existing New Gower Street building. The hotel’s capacity is now 403 rooms.

Along with the nearby St. John’s Convention Center – which Fortis Properties manages as part of an agreement with St. John’s Sports and Entertainment Ltd. – the Delta has become a major player in the local convention business.

The convention center, the Delta’s existing Avalon ballroom and the new Harbourview ballroom on the main floor of the extension, make up 40,000 square feet of banquest and meeting space.

According to industry players, hotel construction and expansion in St. John’s is in response to demand. “St. John’s, NL, is a very hot destination,” said Terry Chaffey, general manager of the Delta St. John’s, adding the capital city has blossomed into a popular spot for both tourism and the convention trade.

Chaffey said the fact the Delta can now handle larger conventions will provide spinoffs for others in the accommodation business, since bigger conventions translate into more people needing accommodation, which means more business for other local hotels. “Our expansion will increase the market”, he explained.

The president and CEO of Fortis Properties, meanwhile, sees the Delta as a real asset. “Since its acquisition in 2002, the Delta St. John’s has performed extremely well and has continued to strengthen the Fortis Properties hospitality portfolio,” Earl Ludlow said. “The expansion will help in drawing a greater number of large conventions to St. John’s and, in turn, generate positive economic impact for the city.”

The Delta expansion, announced last year, will be finished on schedule, just in time to accommodate many of the 2,500 people arriving in St. John’s this week for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities convention, which wraps up June 6.

The hotel’s new rooms opened to guests Wednesday. “The quality of the workmanship is second to none,” Chaffey said, adding that the hotel is now better able to respond to customers’ needs.

The extension features barrier-free rooms for people with disabilities, which include wheel-chair accessible bathrooms. For those who plan longer stays, there are rooms equipped with a kitchen sink, small refrigerator, toaster, microwave and other amenities. There are jucuzzi suites, as well.

The extension also has a luxurious, 1,800 square-foot executive suite on the New Gower Street side of the 11th floor, equipped for computers and other technology.

Chaffey said the Delta’s expansion reflects Fortis Properties’ confidence in the market.

Craig Jackson, The Telegram. Thursday, June 2, 2005