5-star Prince Alex hotel will put Summerside 'on the map'

A five-star resort hotel and conference centre scheduled to open in Summerside will make a big difference for P.E.I.'s second city, says Mayor Bill Martin.

Construction is underway on the much-delayed Prince Alex Resort and Conference Centre, formerly the Dynasty spa.

The hotel was supposed to open last summer, but work was delayed after a design change.

Martin says he believes the hotel will be a huge benefit to the city, particularly because it will be employing a lot of people.

"They've indicated it would be 200 people locally. It's a game changer for Summerside. We're now on the map with a five-star property. There are no other five-star resorts in the province of Prince Edward Island,"

"The reality is that local entrepreneurial ventures are bringing people in to sell them a product or service and they're staying in Charlottetown. They will not be staying in Charlottetown any longer with this property here."

Martin said he believes this is the single largest privately-funded business venture in the province's history. Previous estimates have put the cost at $20 million.

The resort will have tennis courts, two pools, a conference centre, and a restaurant with seating for 200 people.