It鈥檚 business as usual at the Airport Inn Lakeside, despite a Kamloops judge siding with the District of Lake Country on its decision to not renew its business licence.
鈥淵ou see the paper bureaucracy, it doesn鈥檛 mean nothing,鈥� said owner Raif Fleihan Friday, adding the inn along with its shuttle service from the airport are still operating and he will appeal the most recent legal decision from earlier this month.
True to his word, just a day later, cars were parked near the inn鈥檚 fading sign that reads 鈥渋nquire about our 3 night special, monthly kitchens.鈥�
The district decided against renewing the business licence last year because of health and safety concerns. Some of the issues were water-logged floors, electrical problems and mold.
鈥淪econdary issues include frequent and recurring fire inspection and RCMP issues with the property/business,鈥� said Jamie McEwan, community development manager, in a report presented to council at that time. Between April 1, 2009 and Nov. 25, 2016 there were 162 calls for service at the hotel.
On Feb. 16, 2016, the district鈥檚 fire inspector attended the site and noted mold in the interior, storage of household effects and combustible materials in the electrical rooms, water leaking from the ceiling, broken emergency lights, small fires in several electrical outlets and deficient smoke detectors.
The RCMP also advised that they had attended at the inn an average of 28 times per year for a variety of complaints.
Fleihan argued the district failed to send him copies of documents until after the meeting in February, 2017, where the decision was made not to renew the licence.
鈥淭here had been an exchange of information between the district and the licensee,鈥� said court documents detailing the matter.
鈥淭here had been discussions with Mr. Fleihan; he had been told of the district鈥檚 concerns over the inn鈥檚 condition. Fleihan鈥檚 solicitor had also been involved with the discussions. At all times, the district had disclosed its concerns and had made suggestions as to how the concerns might be addressed.鈥�
The judge added that the fact that the district did not provide a copy of the materials to Fleihan prior to the meeting is 鈥渘ot fatal.鈥�
鈥淭he district was not required to give Fleihan copies 鈥� all the district was required to do was to give him access to the information,鈥� reads the decision.
鈥淭he staff report was published on the district鈥檚 website and was available for viewing prior to the Feb. 21 council meeting. The materials were readily available with little cost or inconvenience by simply accessing the district鈥檚 website.鈥�
At one time, Fleihan said he discussed with the city to make the inn into affordable housing, but the politicians never delivered.
Director of community services, Mark Koch said he has heard nothing about these discussions.
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