One of Pincher Creek’s longest-standing businesses has a new proprietor.

Local entrepreneur Mark Maunsell has taken charge of the Alberta Hotel on Main Street.

“My plan is to try and help rejuvenate the downtown, get some more life down here,” says Maunsell, who bought the establishment from David McQuaig in the fall.

“I know the previous owner of this property and the one across the street [the former King Edward Hotel site] and he’s been great to deal with. We approached him about purchasing across the street, and after we closed that, we started working on a deal for this place.”

First opened in 1885, the Alberta is considered the oldest standing hotel in the province.

With a dozen or so unoccupied rooms upstairs, Maunsell hopes to morph the space into four or five larger rental units.

“We have such a major shortage of housing in Pincher. The upstairs, the old hotel, right now is kind of abandoned and I would like to develop it into apartments, or maybe a B&B,” he says.

The old-style rooms are very small. Each has its own sink and shares a common bathroom. The new design would provide a more up-to-date living space.

While focusing on his latest venture, Maunsell was asked if he’s giving some long-term thought to what 729 Main St., the site of the former “King Eddy,” might look like.

While building regulations and requirements have changed, even in the four years since the heritage structure was destroyed by fire, the vision is to bring some of the former features that made it special into the new model.

“I’d like to see something modern,” Maunsell says. “A modern version of what was there. Bring back the frontage, have a restaurant, retail rental, hotel rooms, apartments.”

A return of the renowned stacked balconies is also among the considerations.

For now, though, Maunsell’s focus is on the Alberta Hotel, where patrons can karaoke to their hearts’ content on most Saturday nights.

“I’ve also been able to bring in a couple of  bands since I took over and we’ve had our two pool tables refurbished,” he says.

Once upgrades to the ground-level tavern are complete, the idea is to have live music once a month and hold special events like music trivia nights.