Hope Motor Hotel ordered for demolition by council vote

The District of Hope council has voted unanimously to order the demolition of the Hope Motor Hotel. The owner has been given fewer than 150 days to complete the demolition following the decision on August 10.

The building has a history of safety issues and non-compliance. Mayor Victor Smith stated that the district has reached a breaking point, noting that the owner has been unresponsive to previous communications.

A report by CAO Kevin Dicken detailed several incidents, including a fire in a condemned section of the hotel in September 2024. Subsequent inspections revealed numerous unresolved violations, such as a broken sprinkler system, lack of emergency lighting, and damaged fire alarm pull stations. Despite being condemned and boarded up, firefighters discovered unpermitted renovation work being conducted in September 2025, leading to a stop work order.