FREDERICTON, NB, May 7 /CNW/ - A defining feature of the recently
renovated Crowne Plaza Lord Beaverbrook Hotel in downtown Fredericton, New
Brunswick is its close proximity to the majestic Saint John River. However
that same scenic location is also squarely in the flood plain of the powerful
river and this afternoon (May 07-2008) the hotel reopens at full service for
the first time in seven days as the clean-up continues from record-breaking
floods in New Brunswick's capital city.
"It is a testament to the emergency efforts of the city and the province,
the leadership of the hotel's management team and dedication of the staff that
the Crowne Plaza Lord Beaverbrook reopens today, virtually free of any damage
to guest related areas of the hotel," Glenn Squires, CEO of management company
Pacrim Hospitality Services Inc. (PHSI) said today. Last Wednesday (April 30,
2008) 200 guests were evacuated from the hotel as flood waters reached record
levels in Fredericton. "The initial concern for the hotel was our guests and
their safety and comfort...yet once each was settled the 24-7 battle against
relentless rising water became the focus of the Crowne Plaza team,"
Mr. Squires said. Even Prime Minister Steven Harper could not be accommodated
when he traveled to view damage in the area.
    The hotel's General Manager Walther Lauffer and Regional Chief Engineer
Ron Hebert lead the 'round the clock efforts of the staff of 120 people who
kept guests and clients advised of the status of the closure and were
determined to avoid significant property damage if at all possible. "In teams
of 20, everyone from food and beverage and housekeeping staff to the sales
team manned pumps and generators, moved furniture to higher ground and
sand-bagged as required to ensure the Crowne Plaza is in a position to re-open
today without any long-term damage to guests' comfort and services," GM Walter
Lauffer said. All guest rooms, meeting areas, catering and dining area of the
hotel have re-opened this afternoon. The new saltwater swimming pool will
re-open tomorrow (Thursday) and the full service Arabesque Spa on Friday.
"Even the parking lot, which spent days under 1.9 meters of water, has been
cleared and swept."
    The hotel is owned by Aquilini Investments of Vancouver, British
Columbia, "the principals of which have expressed their appreciation and
admiration to the staff," Glenn Squires added.
    Mr. Lauffer indicated that working on-site; it was clearly the "amazing
combined efforts" of the City of Fredericton, the provincial Environment
Department, the Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) and NB Power that
managed a dangerous and difficult situation.

    Pacrim Hospitality Services Inc. (www.pacrimhospitality.com) is one of
Canada's largest, privately-owned hotel management companies with a portfolio
of some 60 hotels throughout Canada and the United States totaling more than
6,000 hotel rooms and suites. Pacrim Hospitality is the preferred management
company of Holloway Lodging REIT (www.hlreit.com) and is based in Halifax,
Nova Scotia. Pacrim manages 19 hotels in Atlantic Canada, seven of them in New
Brunswick.

For further information: Walther Lauffer, General Manager, Crowne Plaza
Lord Beaverbrook Hotel, (506) 455-3371; Mike Jackson, President and C.O.O.,
PHSI, (902) 404-7474