Builder appointed for $4.4m Waikerie Hotel revamp

Construction work on a $4.4 million upgrade of the Waikerie Hotel is expected to begin in July.

Fire destroyed part of the hotel in September 2011, causing an estimated $1.5 million damage.

The hotel's chairman, Graeme Thompson, says an Adelaide company has won the tender for the project.

Mr Thompson says it would have liked to have found a local company to do the work but says the builders will aim to use as many Riverland businesses and tradesmen as possible.

"All local builders were given the option," he said.

"Some of the time lines have caused a little bit of difficulty for the local builders because they've also got their local clients but the builders have all been given the criteria to embrace as much local involvement as possible."

Mr Thompson says the redevelopment is important to the Waikerie community.

"This'll be a great asset for the township of Waikerie because as everyone knows, the hotel is at the focal point of the town at the roundabout and it is really the centre of the town and we believe we really will have a marvellous asset for the township of Waikerie," he said.

Work on the hotel is expected to be finished by early next year.

Source: ABC News, 23 May 2013