Pam's condos on hold

Plans to develop a two-hectare parcel of oceanfront property in Ladysmith where actress Pamela Anderson's family once operated a holiday camp are on hold until the market recovers, says former NHL star Geoff Courtnall, who's working with the Hollywood starlet on the project.

Courtnall said he originally wanted to break ground on the 83-unit, eco-friendly condo development about a year ago, but now considers the delays a blessing in disguise.

"We were planning to be in the ground right away, but I think with the correction we had in the market and uncertainty around the world, thank God we hadn't started," said the former coach of the Victoria Grizzlies.

"I think we have to make sure it's a viable project and the market is there."

Pamela Anderson, on the other hand, can't wait for the project to begin, he said. Courtnall met with the actress last week while she was visiting Vancouver Island.

"I think Pam's biggest thing is she really wants to do something there and it's very hard for her to be patient because she wants to get going on it right away," he said.

"She has wanted us to start for some time, but she now understands where we are at in this market."

Courtnall said Anderson will return to the Island later this summer, and the pair will decide how best to approach the project. He said the project isn't being abandoned or scaled down.

Ladysmith Mayor Rob Hutchins said he's not surprised Courtnall and Anderson would delay moving ahead with the project under the current conditions.