Winnipeg developer to take on Thunder Bay waterfront

The city of Thunder Bay is about to hand over municipal property to the company slated to build a hotel and two condominiums on the waterfront.

The project has its share of skeptics, notably the Friends of Marina Park. But community services manager Greg Alexander said he's confident it will be completed as planned.

The developer, Joe Bova, heads up Manshield Construction, based in Winnipeg. He's also connected to the ReSolve Group, the company the city will transfer prime waterfront property to on Thursday.

According to research done by CBC News, Bova became well known after developing a commercial district in Winnipeg.

He's completed many other projects, but some of his big ideas have never come to fruition. They include a hockey and soccer complex in Winnipeg, a soccer complex at the University of Manitoba, re-vitalizing a neighborhood in Winnipeg, and a golf course and entertainment complex in Brandon.

City councillor Larry Hebert said city officials have heard the stories.

"Whether or not he's going to do that here, I don't know," Hebert said. "We'll find out next Thursday, I guess."