There were smiles all around when the ribbon was cut at the official opening of Ricky’s All Day Grill on May 17. The restaurant, part of the new Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre complex, is expected to provide a significant boost to Creston Valley tourism.
“This is a great day for Creston and our valley,” said Creston Mayor Ron Toyota from a mayors’ caucus in Pentiction. “I wish I could be there to congratulate the people at AB-BC Recreation and Resources for having the confidence to invest in our community.”
The May 17 opening culminated two days of practice for restaurant employees, who served complimentary meals to invited guests in a trial run for the Creston Valley Blossom Festival weekend opening.
Ricky’s, a national restaurant chain, holds 128 guests in the restaurant, 30 in the soon-to-open lounge and also offers outdoor dining on two patios, which will open in mid-June.
Guests at the opening were also offered a sneak preview of the Ramada Hotel rooms, but hotel and restaurant general manager Cary Hobbs admitted she was surprised that 20 rooms were already booked for that night.
“We haven’t done any advertising whatsoever,” she said. “But we’ve been very pleased to accommodate people who want to stay.”
The hotel features 71 rooms, with conference facilities for up to 100 guests and a fitness centre to add an extra level of service.
“It seems that the local population is very pleased with what they have seen, judging by their comments,” Hobbs said.
The official ribbon cutting at Ricky’s All Day Grill was conducted by acting mayor Judy Gadicke, Regional District of Central Kootenay Area B director and chair John Kettle and Area C director Larry Binks.
Hobbs also presented cheques in the amount of $750 to representatives of the Pet Adoption and Welfare Society (PAWS) and the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors (TAPS). The money was collected from restaurant guests in lieu of tips or meal charges, and was topped up by AB-BC Recreation and Resources.
A grand opening for the Ramada Hotel is expected to be scheduled for July, Hobbs said.