Niagara Falls: Big changes in store on Clifton Hill

Source: NiagaraThisWeek.com
Big changes in store on Clifton Hill
By Lori Sherman
Niagara Falls
Oct 01, 2008
One of Niagara Falls’ oldest hotels will close its doors forever in two weeks, making way for further redevelopment on the ever-changing Clifton Hill.
The Quality Inn, which first opened in the 1950s, will close Oct. 13, completing a series of changes already seen throughout the once expansive property.
Once considered the largest hotel in the area, the inn featured the Fallsview restaurant and the popular Thunderbird Room night club, which hosted regular live entertainment for locals and tourists alike.
According to Pat Clary, the hotel’s director of marketing, the inn will be demolished and replaced by various retail establishments and restaurants.
“The hotel isn’t being sold, it’s closing,” Clary said. “This is From Page 1
merely because the land was not being used properly.”
The property is still owned by the Oakes family, the iconic family behind many businesses on the Hill.
Rumours have been circulating over what will replace the Quality Inn.
In 2005, Harry Oakes, president of HOCO Ltd., announced a $100 million development plan to build a 20-ride midway with two roller coasters in the area. The plan, which included the already operational SkyWheel, was halted due to the rocky state of the tourism industry. (more…)