Lights out for the Willow Inn

The Willow Inn Hotel will be reduced to rubble next week.

After 81 years, the venerable old hotel will come down once all utilities have been turned off.

Power to the building will be turned off Sunday while the water is expected to be shut off Monday.

FortisBC spokesperson, Jodie Foster-Sexsmith, says an entire transformer will have to be turned off in order to disconnect the power to the hotel.

"That transformer feeds between 15 and 20 customers in the downtown area," says Foster-Sexsmith.

"On Sunday morning about 7 a.m. we will be turning off the transformer and disconnecting the Willow. We will then turn the transformer back on."

Foster-Sexsmith says she expects the power to be turned back on at about 9 a.m.

"The power will be out to customers in the Queensway to Bernard area and Mills to Water area. It affects the block around the Willow."

She says FortisBC worked with the owners of the Willow to cut power when it will have the least impact on customers.

The hotel has been vacant since it closed in September 2007.

Once the site is cleared, it will become a pay parking lot while owner Westcorp awaits a final decision from City Council on the fate of the downtown Comprehensive Development Zone.