The Northern Regional Construction Association board of directors has called on its members to boycott the Marriott Courtyard Hotel, saying the general contractor hired to guide the project to completion still owes local firms some nine months after it was opened.
NRCA CEO Scott Bone, who recommended the move to the board, said Friday that as of late 2018, Calgary-based UPA Construction Group Ltd. still owed about $1.8 million for work subcontractors properly completed and now wants them to accept reductions ranging from one to 30 per cent before the company will cut a cheque.
"It's unethical, it's unprofessional and it goes against the contract that they have," Bone said.
He said the move to boycott Marriott is being done reluctantly, noting the dispute is primarily between UPA and the NRCA. However, he said the Marriott has a responsibility because the company manages the contract for its general contractors.
"We want to build a relationship with the Marriott, we want the local community and our members to use the facility, but right now our board of directors and members are upset and, as you could probably appreciate, why would they go and spend money at a hotel when they haven't even been paid for work performed?," Bone said.
"This, in our view, is a short-term solution and our goal is to focus on the challenges we've had with UPA Construction in not paying our members in a timely manner or requiring them to reduce their contract pricing."
Bone also stressed that local businessman Rod McLeod, who played a key role in getting the project off the ground, has been "instrumental" in voicing the NRCA's concerns.
"He has been beating the drum and he has been very supportive in trying to get a resolution to this," Bone said.
Contracts at stake range from $5,000 to as much as $900,000 and over 15 contractors were affected, according to Bone.
"Now you can see why NRCA, who represents these members, has taken action," he said.
The NRCA has about 180 members in Prince George and 250 across northern B.C. A notice has been circulated to about 1,800 construction firms in the province.
"It's a beautiful hotel, there are a lot of people who work there, it's a business enterprise," Bone said. "But I have been talking to them about this for over a year and we have indicated to them the challenge that not getting UPA to pay would have an impact on their reputation in the community."
UPA Construction Group Ltd. president Richard Allen declined to comment Friday afternoon, saying he is away and would get back to the Citizen on Tuesdday.
Built for about $30 million, the hotel opened its doors in May.
