Those looking for a hotel room in Moose Jaw could soon have another option.

Holiday Inn has expressed interested in building a hotel in the city at 195 and 211 Diefenbaker Drive.

Mayor Fraser Tolmie said having a new hotel built in the city will bring many job opportunities.

“Building this hotel will mean construction jobs, electricians, plumbers, builders. It means local lumber stores get to sell supplies such as drywall, lumber, electrical wire, plumbing supplies to contractors, carpeting, flooring, you name it,” he said.

Tolmie pointed to the need for another hotel as Moose Jaw continues to play host major events. He pointed out just recently Moose Jaw has hosted the Selects football program at the Yara Centre, Bantam hockey tournaments at the Pla-Mor Palace, the Mavericks female hockey tournament at the Kinsmen SportsPlex and the Saskatchewan First Responders Conference.

In the future, Moose Jaw will also host the Scotties next month as well as Skate Canada and the 50th anniversary of the Snowbirds later this year.

Tolmie added that the city will also see spillover when Regina hosts the Grey Cup and Telemiracle.

“These events along with concerts fill our hotels, restaurants, stores, gas and grocery stores. Holiday Inn is interested in building another hotel in Moose Jaw and when we asked them have you done your research and a major hotelier? They replied yes,” Tolmie said.

Tolmie told city council on Monday that he drove around the city and the parking lots at all the hotels were full with many of the vehicles having out-of-province licence plates.

Coun. Crystal Froese added that people staying to hotels have a big impact on the local economy.

“What also happens with the hotels when they are filled is our downtown fills up as well. I was shopping downtown and it was busy. There were people everywhere,” she said.

The developers of the hotel had asked city council to have upgrades done to the water, sewer and storm lines. The city will recover the cost in year one of a five-year phase-in policy tax incentive. The upgrades were passed in council 6-1 with Coun. Brian Swanson opposed.