Summerside Shipyard property gets $700K investment from developer

A prominent building on Summerside's waterfront is getting a $700,000 makeover by a developer.

The sale of the Summerside Shipyard property is part of the city's decade-long plan, unveiled last month, to revitalize its downtown area and waterfront.

"I'm really excited to see another project develop, another step forward," said Mayor Dan Kutcher. "It feels a bit like the end of the beginning because we're starting to get that momentum here."

Corfam Investments Inc. purchased the building from a city-run non-profit, Sustainable Tourism Inc., for just $1 after being selected through a request for proposals process.

"We've been doing [this] now for 18 years in the full-service business and feel very confident that Summerside needs more of that," said Corfam's president, Duke Cormier.

"So that's why we jumped on this project."

Cormier, who also owns the restaurant FiveElevenWest in Credit Union Place, made the announcement alongside city staff Monday morning. He said he wants the venue to become a year-round restaurant and events space.

Currently, the building hosts weddings and has a restaurant that's open only seasonally.

"We're going to break the space up into two and have the ability to have meetings for up to 100 people and have a restaurant that's able to seat 100 to 110 people," Cormier said.

With a patio open during the summer months, that number could increase to as many as 160.

A comfortable spot

Cormier said the plans are to create a comfortable atmosphere, not something pretentious.

"In the summertime you can show up with your sandals, you can show up with your soccer team," he said. "You can show up with a group of guys or a group of girls, or a date night, or whatever the case might be."

The interior will feature propane fireplaces and televisions and modern technology for servers and meeting guests, but will maintain a seaside feel.

Summerside's Shipyard to be transformed under new ownership

1 year ago

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Summerside Mayor Dan Kutcher says the revamping of the Summerside Shipyard property is just one step in revitalizing the city's downtown. The building's new owner Duke Cormier says the year-round restaurant and events space will include a menu that'll satisfy as many people as possible.

"The decor part is making you feel that you're in a rustic waterfront location; that technology is kind of invisible," Cormier said.

As for the menu, seafood will be front and centre, but there will also be pasta, chicken, ribs and options for those who are vegan, gluten-free and others with dietary restrictions.

'Time to roll up our sleeves'

Kutcher hopes announcements like Monday's will continue.

"We really want our downtown to be a vibrant hub for our city to connect our historic downtown Water Street to our waterfront," he said. "I think this is a great step in that journey."

Kutcher said the city is trying to prioritize its residents, but at the same time draw in more visitors.

"We're focusing on trying to retain and attract young workers and families to create that vibrant atmosphere in our downtown core," he said. "But also to make sure that our older adults and seniors have places to go and mingle and meet."

Cormier said the venue will employ about 30 people. He hopes to start renovating the exterior later this summer, but said weddings and other events already booked through the current operator won't be impacted.

Interior renovations will happen over the fall and winter, with the re-opening planned for spring 2025.

"We've already done a lot of work, but we have a lot of work to do," Cormier said. "So, it's time to roll up our sleeves and get at it."