Local bidders boost Château Montebello offer as July 10 sale deadline nears

A local ownership group led by Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer raised its bid significantly for the Château Montebello as the historic resort's sale enters its final days.

Devcore Group president Jean-Pierre Poulin said the consortium — which also includes Nordik Spa founder Martin Paquette and Quebec-based entrepreneurs Edouard Wakim and Charles-Antoine Hallé — submitted a higher offer after court-appointed receiver PricewaterhouseCoopers gave qualified bidders a last chance to revise their bids last month. The winning bidder is expected to be announced Friday, July 10.

If selected, the group plans to invest between $100 million and $150 million over the next four years to renovate the property, expand the marina and golf course, and add around 125 hotel rooms in a new building connected to the existing resort. Paquette, who has run Spa Nordik in Chelsea for 20 years, plans to create a "Château Montebello spa right on the mountain" with multiple pools and hot and cold baths.

Poulin said the selection process will weigh more than price alone. "I think now it's going to be on the ability of the team to deliver the project, close on the transaction, keep it simple and (have) the ability to deliver after this," he said. The group recently received a letter of support from Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette.

The 211-room resort, built in the 1930s, was purchased by China Evergrande Group in 2014 and has operated under the Fairmont banner since 2000. The property spans 21 hectares and features skiing and hiking trails, indoor and outdoor pools, an 18-hole golf course, a 100-slip marina, and other recreation facilities. Evergrande renovated about half the existing rooms, but the rest still need upgrades to modern standards.