Construction is set to begin this month on redevelopment of the Island Hotel in downtown Ladysmith, leading to temporary parking disruptions near First Avenue.
The project will see the heritage-designated building at 440 1st Ave. replaced with a new five-storey structure featuring ground-floor commercial space, 22 residential units and a rooftop patio. While the existing building will be fully demolished, the historic facade will be preserved and incorporated into the new design.
A portion of the town-owned parking lot at 117 Gatacre St. will be fenced off starting June 16, with full site setup expected by June 27. The lot has been leased to the developer and will be closed to the public for up to 24 months during construction.
In total, 28 public parking stalls will be temporarily unavailable, including 22 in the Gatacre lot and six on neighbouring streets.
No accessible parking stalls will be lost, though one will be relocated slightly to make room for changes to a nearby bus stop.
In a statement, the town said staff and the developer considered multiple options for staging and crane placement before finalizing the current plan. A tower crane will be installed within the interior elevator shaft to reduce impacts on surrounding streets and sidewalks. Shoring will also be required to support the preserved façade along First Avenue. This work will reduce sidewalk space and impact some parking, but pedestrian access will be maintained throughout.
“We fully appreciate that the closure of the 117 Gatacre parking lot may be frustrating for some residents,” said Nicholas Pescod, the town’s communications and engagement specialist. “However, the alternative options would have caused considerable congestion and parking difficulties on 1st Avenue, resulting in unnecessary hardship for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.”
The town said the chosen approach aims to minimize long-term disruption while supporting a project that will bring new housing and commercial space to the downtown core.
