WILKIE - A grand opening was held for the Wilkie Motel Sunday, Sept. 19, re-opening a business that had been closed for several years and fallen into disrepair. About 100 people attended the event at the junction of Highways 29 and 14, which included a barbecue, program and tour of the newly renovated rooms.
Suki Pangalia, the new owner, founder and CEO of AAJ Media Group of British Columia, said he appreciates the support from the community and sees only growth for the town and area.
He said, “I feel Wilkie has a very bright future, because of the great people who live here and believe in the town. From the first time that Daniel and I came to Wilkie I saw a community full of people who are so wonderful, supportive and kind. I came to Canada when I was 10 years old to Vancouver and it was only when I arrived in Wilkie did I feel the sense of being home and with family, like I did when I left my home country.”
General manager Daniel Tremblay, originally from Quebec, came with Pangalia by way of Vancouver to Wilkie, thinking he was going to retire.
“Suki said we are going to tour the town. We went up one block, down another one and then came back to the motel and I asked Suki ‘where is the town?’ I realized that the town is the people.” He laughed and said, “So much for retirement.”
Mayor David Ziegler, in his remarks to the crowd, said, “The tireless efforts of Suki and Daniel took an abandoned business and turned it into a viable business, which I am sure will be successful and flourish. Congratulations on a job well done.”
Pangalia and Tremblay said they have been pleased with the kindness shown them by Mayor Ziegler, local and area businesses and those who have just dropped in to visit as the renovation was underway. They also thanked Helen Urlacher, town councillor.
Cst. Shaun Walker said that when he first noticed the big white truck at the motel in the late evening and saw a fellow sitting at a camp fire with a laptop, he thought “trouble here?” but soon realized he had made two friends, and watched the old motel turn into a welcoming addition to the town.
During the program Harry Matthews was honoured for completing a master suite in the motel in 1978. Harry’s daughter, Deborah Schmutz, was on hand to see her father’s work remembered with a plaque and now Room 1 is the “The Harry Matthew’s Suite.” She and siblings, Eileen, Spike (Harold), Lucy and Darlene thanked Pangalia and Tremblay for honouring their father and highlighting his craftsmanship.
Pangalia gave out plaques of appreciation to individuals and businesses who have been instrumental in helping to make the motel a reality. Throughout the program, Suki always referred to “family” and how important that is to the success of his business and any other business in the community.
The program ended with the cutting of the ribbon, to officially open the Wilkie Motel. Tremblay, Deborah Schmutz, Darlene Jensen and Helen Urlacher held the ribbon as Mayor Ziegler and Pangalia cut it. The program ended with the cutting of a cake everyone got to enjoy.
It was part of a parcel of land the Imperial Oil Company had purchased in 1958 with plans for a service station and possibly a motel. The service station with attached cafe was built in 1961. The motel was built in 1963 by Merle Rivett, who built six units.
