Bateman Inn site of mega project

By Michael Bennett
Local Journalism Initiative
The Ridgetown Independent News

One of the most significant development projects in the Ridgetown area in decades is already underway.

And, there is much more to come.

JDass Corp., a multifaceted company based in Mississauga, has begun renovating the former Bateman Inn on Victoria Road at Highway 401.

When complete, the once single-storey, 44-room hotel will be more than twice its original size.

The new hotel will feature two floors, 88 rooms, and additional amenities, including a meeting hall that can be used for conferences, meetings, or special events, such as wedding receptions.

The hotel renovation project is just the first of several additions JDass Corp. is planning for the 22-acre site, which they purchased within the last three months.

The company plans to build a new complex featuring a gas bar, convenience store, formal restaurant, and a McDonald’s restaurant on the north side of the hotel, facing the 401.

JDass Corp. is also planning on constructing a new truck depot and weigh scale behind the south end of the hotel.

And perhaps the biggest news is that JDass Corp. plans to construct an industrial complex behind the hotel on the north side, where Dass Rebar will manufacture steel rebars.

This factory is expected to employ more than 200 people.

Jay Dass, founder of JDass Corp., and his son Ram Dass, company director, were recently at the hotel complex for an introductory meeting with Stuart McFadden, Chatham-Kent director of economic development, East Kent councillors John Wright and Morena McDonald and Ridgetown BIA chair Jim Brown.

The local contingent was naturally ecstatic about the proposed development, which is expected to create nearly 300 jobs between the factory and local businesses, as well as the number of people the complex will draw to the area.

Brown felt that this addition to the community couldn’t come at a better time.

“This new investment will bring additional traffic off 401 into the Ridgetown and East Kent area, which provides opportunities for the local economy,” said Brown. “The creation of 200 or more new service and manufacturing jobs will significantly enhance our local community and hopefully create additional investment, housing and social benefits.”

McDonald couldn’t agree more.

“This feels like the biggest thing to come to our area in a long time,” McDonald said. “It’s great to see some development, especially in that area.

“I think it will be great, not only for Ridgetown, but the surrounding communities like Morpeth and Highgate – not just because of the services that will be provided but also for (job) opportunities,” she added.

McDonald said being on the 401 will attract a lot of people “not only to refuel and get a snack or dinner, but also to hopefully come out and explore the small towns too.”

Wright said he was excited about the entire project, namely, the expanded hotel.

“We really need it,” Wright said. “We’re really short for motels at this end (of the municipality).”

“But they still have some issues they have to work out with water and septic tanks,” Wright added.

McFadden said the JDass Corp. is in the process of providing a site plan to the municipality for approval for the new additions to the facility.

“It’s going through the process; we’ve given them some things to go over, and we’re waiting to hear back from them,” said McFadden. “It’s a good company, good people, and we’re going to work with them to try and get them across the finish line.”

“Tomorrow’s Vision, Today” is the motto for the JDass Corp., which was founded in 1986 when the Dass family arrived in Canada and opened Teletime, its flagship electronics store at Dundas Square in Downtown Toronto.

The company has since expanded into real estate, hospitality and entertainment, steel manufacturing, and even owns and operates a golf resort.

Ram Dass said his company first looked at the former Bateman’s Inn and Daniel’s Garage area around three months ago, but moved very quickly to make the purchase and begin its massive plans.

“We want to create jobs, that’s a big, big philosophy,” Dass said. “And we want to bring people into the community as well.”

The local contingent stated that the 88-room hotel, which will be operated under a yet-to-be-named company, is badly needed not only in the Ridgetown area but for the entire Chatham-Kent region.

“We’re looking at ‘how do we go out and entice more development and hotel room spaces,’ so this is excellent news,” McFadden told the Dass family. “We have proven studies that we need hotel rooms.”

“A few years ago, we had a Chamber of Commerce convention for Ontario, but we had to bus people to get rooms in Windsor and then bus them back to Chatham for the event. There’s just not enough capacity,” McFadden said.

Youth sports and high schools are limited in hosting tournaments due to a lack of hotel space, especially for provincial championships when teams come from all across Ontario, but have to stay as far away as Leamington and Windsor.

“It’s not just the hockey tournaments, we have the college in town,” Brown said about the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus. “They have a lot of events throughout the year, and they’re always looking for rooms. Unfortunately, they have to go out of town.”

Ram Dass said the hotel “will be state of the art, it will be a beautiful facility,” as they hope to open the doors in the spring.