Parking dispute will not stall Summerside mall project

Renovation of the Waterfront Mall in Summerside into condominiums, shops and offices will go ahead despite a dispute over parking spaces, says the president of Oran Canada.

'This is a distraction. It's aminor blip.' - Eoin Little, Oran Canada

The company's original plans for renovating the mall included underground parking, but that can't be done because the building is set on reclaimed land. It's now planning to take over space currently used by Holland College and the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht club.

Silver Fox management is opposing the move, but Oran Canada president Eoin Little said his company owns the land and can use it.

"We've since looked at that agreement, up and down, every clause by our lawyers based in Toronto. And the actions we're taking are fully justified and in accordance with all of the conditions imposed by the city and imposed by that agreement that we inherited," Little told CBC News by phone from Ireland.

"We will go ahead with our plans to build. This is a distraction. It's aminor blip in the process of getting things done."

Little says he's offered several other options to the club such as valet parking, but hasn't been able to reach an agreement. He's still hoping a compromise can be reached, but he's confident if the matter has to go to arbitration or court his company is on solid legal ground.

New work on the mall will begin in the spring.