U of S announces agreement with P.R. Hotels Ltd. for hotel development on campus

SASKATOON - University of Saskatchewan officials today announced the signing of an agreement for a long-term land lease that will see Saskatoon-based P.R. Hotels Ltd. build a 203-room hotel development as part of the university's College Quarter development.

The 10-storey building will include two Intercontinental Hotels Group brands to serve users from the university and the public. A Holiday Inn Express hotel wing will feature mid- to upper-scale rooms while the Staybridge Suites wing will offer lodging with kitchen facilities in each suite for long-stay guests. Construction is expected to begin in mid-2014 and be completed by the spring of 2016.

Judy Yungwirth, director of corporate administration at the U of S, said the university will benefit from the development in two ways. "This project allows the university to realize the first part of its vision for providing services in College Quarter while the financial benefits of the land lease will allow us to invest in further development of the College Quarter northeast precinct," she said

Yungwirth said P.R. Hotels Ltd., which will assume all responsibility for capital and operating costs of the hotel, was chosen for the project because of the company's clear understanding of the university's needs and its long-term plans for College Quarter. It is unusual for a university the size of the U of S to not have a hotel to accommodate visitors, she continued, "so this project will be a great addition to the services we're able to offer."

"We're pleased to be able to partner with the University of Saskatchewan on this project," said Jeff Krivoshen, director of operations for P.R. Hotels Ltd. "We believe our unique two-brand approach will meet both the short- and long-term accommodation needs of university visitors and provide some great hotel options for all visitors to Saskatoon."

Owned by Lawrence and Patricia Rychjohn, P.R. Hotels Ltd owns and operates six other hotels including the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites and the Holiday Inn Hotel in Saskatoon.

Krivoshen added the hotel project will feature many green building innovations to ensure it meets the environmental standards of College Quarter.

The hotel amenities will include breakfast buffets along with free internet, a swimming pool, water slide, and fitness and business centres. Four meeting rooms will be available for rent by guests, members of the campus community and the public.

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 For more information, please contact:

Jennifer Thoma

Media relations

University of Saskatchewan

306-966-1851

jennifer.thoma@usask.ca

Jeff Krivoshen

P.R. Hotels Ltd.

306-241-5079
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