Editor:
In response to queries about the recent announcement that Klaus Fuerniss Enterprises has secured agreement to purchase the assets of Gibsons Marina Hotel Limited Partnership, the Town of Gibsons posted this information sheet to its website last week.
Has the marina been sold?
The Town was advised that Klaus Fuerniss Enterprises (KFE) has secured an agreement to purchase the assets of Gibsons Marina Hotel Limited Partnership (Gibsons Marina).
As a condition of the agreement, KFE is responsible for securing the transfer of the lease agreement with the Town of Gibsons and the province.
What does “secure the transfer of the lease agreement” mean?
Essentially, the Town holds a 30-year lease with the Crown, which was recently renewed, and expires on Feb. 27, 2042. The Town, in 1983, sublet that area to Gibsons Marina Hotel Inc. for the purpose of building and operating a 381-berth marina, meaning the Town is the landlord and GMHI is the tenant. KFE has secured an agreement to purchase the “sub-lease” from Gibsons Marina Hotel Inc. They now require approval from the Town and the province to proceed with that purchase. If successful, they will become the new tenant.
Does this mean the marina will be privatized?
The Gibsons Marina is a private business and has been operating under a lease from the Town for that purpose since 1983.
Will my berthage fees increase under the new ownership?
Since 1983, the lease agreement with the Gibsons Marina has included a clause that charges for annual berthage, transient berthage, launching, car or trailer parking cannot be increased more than 15 per cent in any calendar year without the written approval by the Town.
What are the next steps?
At this point the Town has only been made aware that there is an agreement between KFE and GMHI. Once a formal proposal is submitted to the Town, staff will review it and bring a report to council for consideration.
Town of Gibsons
