By Angela MacKenzie - Staff Reporter

The developer of the Boathouse restaurant in Port Moody says its sale to a U.S. chain won't affect the restaurant slated to open in June 2007.

Peter Bonner, CEO of the Spectra Group of Restaurants Inc., appeared before Port Moody council Tuesday to reassure the city the Boathouse Restaurant will be built in Rocky Point Park and operated as promised.

"The Boathouse Restaurant that we proposed to put here, in all forms - both from the point of view of the physical plant that we're building as well as the concept itself - will be exactly as it has been represented to you at every step of the way," Bonner said.

Spectra is selling its six Boathouse restaurants to McCormick and Schmick's Seafood Restaurants Inc., a publicly owned company based in Portland, Ore. The sale is not expected to be finalized for several months.

"I just want to emphasize that this was a corporate decision made for the benefit of the Spectra shareholders and nothing in particular related to the Boathouse Port Moody project," Bonner said. "It was completely unrelated, in fact, and was purely coincidental from the timing point of view."

Kelly Gordon, vice-president of operations for Boat-house restaurants, reiterated the company's commitment to community involvement.

Gordon said the Boathouse sponsored the best in show category for the Port Moody Wearable Art Awards and has committed $5,000 a year to arts programs in the city. The company is also sponsoring two local soccer teams. The Boathouse is also a supporter of the Vancouver Aquarium's Ocean Wise conservation program and recently donated $5,000 to the Pacific Salmon Foundation.

Doug Schmick, representing the U.S. restaurant chain, flew in from Los Angeles to speak at the council meeting.

"I just couldn't be more enthused about the opportunity to become part of your community," Schmick said.

Schmick said he respects Port Moody's small-town character.

"I do want you to know that, at the end of the day, if we are given the opportunity to become part of your community, you have my pledge that it's going to be as good as it's going to get, and we're really committed to the Boathouse brand," he said.

Gordon said the Port Moody restaurant will likely employ 150 to 200 workers during the summer peak.

"This is going to be a very high-volume restaurant," he said, adding that the Port Moody location is expected to be busier than the Boathouse in English Bay.

Wendy Swalwell, a Port Moody resident and vocal representative of boaters affected by the restaurant development, raised concerns over employee parking.

Gordon said employees will be asked not to park at the restaurant site and encouraged to use public transit.

Earlier, Swalwell said that considering the "negative" impact the restaurant development has had on residents, park users and boaters, "it would be extremely disappointing to realize that the only reason they pursued it was to enhance their bottom line for shareholders."

Swalwell said Port Moody construction workers and tradespeople she has spoken to have not benefited from the development.

"In regards to the restaurant being a negative influence, or being negative for the community, that is your opinion," Mayor Joe Trasolini responded. "That is not an opinion that is shared by many people."

published on 12/15/2006