HOTEL PARTNER CHOSEN FOR CANADA’S FIRST WINE VILLAGE Oliver Wine Village to move forward with Co-operators Development and Bellstar Hotels & Resorts

OLIVER, BC: Co-operators Development Corporation Limited (CDCL) and Bellstar Hotels & Resorts Ltd. are pleased to announce their initiative to co-develop the Oliver Wine Village. CDCL named Bellstar as its hotel partner in the downtown Oliver riverfront re-development.
 

Matthew McKechnie, CDCL’s Chief Operating Officer said, “The partnership between Bellstar and CDCL delivers the experience and financial strength required to create the Okanagan’s next great tourist destination. We plan to complement Oliver’s ‘wine capital’ designation with an integrated village that will extend their downtown commercial district.”
 

His enthusiasm was mirrored by Jon Zwickel, Executive Vice President of Bellstar. “Our team is proud to have been selected as co-developer. We will foster an environment of inclusion, bringing together the region’s wine, culinary, agriculture and education communities to create an exceptional resort.” Oliver’s Mayor, Ron Hovanes, said he was “delighted that CDCL and Bellstar have joined together to drive the Oliver Wine Village project forward, and in conjunction with the Okanagan Valley, and Oliver in particular, being recognized as one of Frommer’s Top Travel Destinations for 2007, it is a tremendous endorsement of our vision”. Frommer’s is a world-recognized Travel Guide resource. 

In April, CDCL was selected by the Town of Oliver to develop the Wine Village and the parties are currently finalizing the business terms of the relationship. CDCL subsequently interviewed resort operators from across Canada and the U.S. and ultimately selected Bellstar as their hotel partner. The Okanagan Valley, and Oliver in particular, was recently named a top recommendation in Frommer’s Top Travel Destinations for 2007. Frommer’s is an internationally- recognized Travel Guide resource.

Embracing Smart Growth principles, the Wine Village will be an authentically themed community, focused on celebrating the culture and heritage of the South Okanagan and its relationship to wine and agriculture. The mixed-use development will consist of residential, commercial, a hotel with conference space, spa and restaurant components, as well as a wine interpretive centre and a culinary arts school.

Calgary-based Bellstar develops and manages resort properties in British Columbia and Alberta. Its collection includes 13 resorts in the Okanagan Valley, Vancouver Island and Canmore. www.bellstar.ca

CDCL, a subsidiary of The Co-operators group of companies, is an award-winning developer of office, residential, commercial and industrial properties throughout BC, AB and ON. CDCL recently won four silver Tommie Awards from the Canadian Home Builders Assoc. for its Casa Del Lago development in Osoyoos, BC. www.cdcl.com

Media Contacts:
 

Jessica Harcombe Tracy McRae
Bellstar Hotels & Resorts Ltd. CDCL
Calgary, AB Vancouver, BC
T 403.695.3453 F 403.255.1181 T 604.738.1001 Ext. 231
E jessica@bellstar.ca E Tracy_McRae@CDCL.com