A contractor and a developer, both from Richmond, are facing off in court for an alleged debt related to an iconic White Rock movie location.
Platinum Seal Project Canada Inc., a contractor at McKim Way in Richmond, claims Fountana Hotel Limited Partnership owes it more than $660,000 for replacing the roof at the former Pacific Inn Resort at 1160 King George Blvd., better known as the "Pink Palace" hotel.
The lawsuit, filed in B.C. Supreme Court on Jan. 24 and amended on Jan. 26, also names Fountana Hotel Investment Corp., Fountana Hotel GP Corp. and Chia-Hwei (Jackey) Lin as defendants.
Lin is the sole director of both Fountana Hotel Investment, which owns the land, and Fountana Hotel GP, which is the sole general partner of the hotel partnership.
All of the defendant companies have a registered address on Cessna Drive in Richmond.
Platinum Seal said it was hired to replace the roof at the South Surrey property in 2021 and completed additional work including HVAC removal and gutter replacement. It added its work was approved after a final inspection in June 2022.
According to the lawsuit, Platinum Seal issued a total of eight invoices for almost $770,000 excluding tax, but only received a payment of $105,000.
"Despite repeated demands made by (Platinum Seal), (Fountana Hotel Limited Partnership) and (Lin) have failed, refused or neglected to pay (Platinum Seal) the sum of $661,050.00 plus five per cent of Goods and Services Tax which is now due and owing," reads the lawsuit.
Platinum Seal claims Fountana and Lin breached the contract by failing to pay for its services and were unjustly enriched after Platinum Seal increased the value of the land.
It is seeking repayment of the $661,050 debt plus tax, more than $300,000 for two years of interest and other relief.
Court records show Platinum Seal also registered a certificate of pending litigation on the Pink Palace on Jan. 26, which prevents the owner from selling it until the certificate has been removed.
According to a listing on realtor.ca, the Pink Palace is currently listed for a court-ordered sale for more than $25 million. The 4.8-acre hotel closed its doors for renovations in 2018 and was later painted white after being turned into a film studio.
It served as the set for popular shows including Stephen King's The Stand, Riverdale, Batwoman and Van Helsing. The facility also offered paranormal tours.
None of the claims have been proven in court.
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