At least three SOPA Square business owners along Pandosy Street in 麻豆精选 have come forward to vent their frustration over heating issues in their building complex.
In 2015, the Aquilini group bought the Sopa Square development for $29.5 million after it went into receivership. Since then, the developer has built a residential high rise tower project above the commercial units.
READ MORE: UPDATE: Smoke, no fire, at Sopa Square
In the latest developments, Silent Noise Jewellery owner Gadi Nussen said he has been without heat at his store for weeks.
鈥淢y heating unit hasn鈥檛 worked for a month. I鈥檝e been told that people will be working on it and that it鈥檚 a pretty big malfunction,鈥� said Nussen, who was wearing a jacket inside his business while on the phone.
鈥淚 haven鈥檛 seen any workers trying to fix it. I was told by the property manager that it has been affecting a few other units. I鈥檓 not too sure when the issue will be resolved.鈥�
Tru Frozen Yogurt, a neighbouring store to Silent Noise Jewelry, has also been experiencing heating issues for almost a month.
Store manager Jennica Shelton said this isn鈥檛 the first time her store has been without heat.
鈥淲e鈥檝e experienced at least four different heat and air conditioner problems over the past two years. Normally when the system breaks, it takes weeks to get fixed,鈥� said Shelton.
鈥淭his has been a serious problem for us.鈥�
Glenn Smith, general manager of Canadian Brewhouse & Grill in the SOPA complex, said the property manager isn鈥檛 offering to reimburse him for space heaters that he鈥檚 buying just to keep his facility warm.
He said a recent flooding event has also been a major eyesore for his business.
鈥淎 couple of weeks ago, we had a really busy wings night and all the ladies鈥� bathrooms wouldn鈥檛 flush. After, the toilets got backed up and the space flooded.鈥�
Smith said the toilet issue has been a major drain on his business.
鈥淚鈥檝e called several plumbers to try and fix the issue,鈥� said Glenn. 鈥淭hey usually find blockages coming from fifty feet down the toilet pipe.鈥�
Last March, tiles were reportedly falling off the building and crashing down on the street below.
City of 麻豆精选 planning director Ryan Smith said the tiles have since been removed from the building.
If SOPA business owners are experiencing issues, Smith said the best way for them to address the problem is to contact their strata manager.
Several telephone calls to the Aquilini group for comment weren鈥檛 returned.
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connor.trembley@kelownacapnews.com
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