Maui Sands plans to tear down old building

PERKINS TWP. — The new management team at Maui Sands Resort & Indoor Waterpark plan to raze the older section of the building.Last month, Maui Sands fell back into the ownership and control of its previous owners, Maryland-based company Sun Development, after the company leasing and managing the hotel didn't fulfill its agreement."(Sun Development) did a lease-to-purchase with a third-party whose intent was to buy the hotel in five years for $6 million," said Dan Sweigert, managing partner of Affinity Inns & Resorts. "The owners took the building back because of that group not living up to the terms of the lease."When the owners took back control of the hotel they hired Sweigert and his company as consultants to help chart future plans, stabilize the staff and operation.Bijal Patel was brought aboard as the new general manager and Robin Innes will be continuing his role as marketing coordinator, which he has held for the past several years.One of the most pressing concerns facing the resort was the condition of the front section of the building, the original Holiday Inn on the site."In January, there was a water event in the original two-story section about a foot of water in the whole building," Sweigert said. "The original Holiday Inn was about 170 rooms which are currently unrentable."The reduced number of rooms mean the hotel can hold fewer guests, but they can also now offer day passes to the waterpark without fear of exceeding the buildings capacity.They are now starting promotions for a buy-one-get-one free deal for day passes. But the problem still remains as to what do with the old building.The resort's location Milan Road (U.S. 250) near Ohio 2 means the owners don't want to waste a piece of prime real estate."It's probably the best corner in all of Erie County," Sweigert said.The owners plan to sell or auction off all the furniture and fixtures in the old Holiday Inn and move the laundry service to the newer parts of the building."Once the building is vacated the plan is to tear it down," Sweigert said. "The owners are then looking at what to do with that 4 acre parcel … Plans are not concrete at this point, but the owners are ascertaining on building a 120 room tower to replace the rooms that are going to be razed."Besides the demolition of the building, the new management will also be doing some much needed maintenance on the waterpark that includes the addition of nonslip stairs.Reach reporter Michael Harrington at michaelharrington@sanduskyregister.com, follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterThe new management team for Maui Sands Resort & Indoor Waterpark (left to right) Robin Innes, Dan Sweigert and Bijal Patel.