Residents will begin to see a change along Highway 17 in Dryden in June following the announcement of a new hotel and commercial development zone coming to the city.

It comes as part of a partnership between Wabigoon Lake First Nation and Rideout Bay Development.

The project will redevelop a former RV Park and home, which is already zoned as highway commercial, and will feature a hotel under the Studio 6 Extended Stay Suites franchise with 70 suites and a convention space on nine acres of land.

It will also boast a park atmosphere with green space included at the rear of the hotel.

The $25 million dollar mixed use development is expected to have a positive impact on both the employment and economic fronts for both the City of Dryden and the membership of the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation.

This marks Rideout Bay Development’s fourth project in Northern Ontario, including one announced in the fall of 2022 in Fort Frances.

Officials say construction is expected to begin on June 15th with the site expected to take one year to complete.