YARMOUTH - The owners of Rodd Hotels and Resorts are examining the former Rodd Colony Harbour Inn in Yarmouth to see what will be involved should they decide to reopen the building next spring.
Mark Rodd, president of Rodd Hotels and Resorts, said Friday, Oct. 26, they are in the “early, early stages” of examining the building.
“As you know, it’s been closed for a number of years so there are some window and roofing issues that we’re looking at,” he said.
“We had some engineers here from Prince Edward Island this week and we’re looking at the scope of the project,” Rodd said.
He added that after they analyze the work involved and the budget required the company would “see where it goes.”
“We are optimistic about opening it,” said Rodd.
“June or July is fast approaching and we want to be able to get our ducks in a row. If we’re confident we can hit some targets then we’re going to go from there.”
The 65-room hotel closed in January 2011; 20 people were working there at the time. It had operated for 40 years. At the time the company cited a slumping economy and no ferry service in its decision to close.
Early on after the closure, the hotel had been used a few times to house visitors in town for events because extra capacity was needed – such as when teams were here for the World Junior A Challenge in 2012.
The Colony Harbour Inn restaurant stayed open after the hotel closed, but it closed in 2013.
The property was up for sale in recent years and has dropped in assessment value from $1,720,000 in 2008 to $210,000 in 2018.
In early 2017 furnishings and items inside the hotel were donated to SHYFT Youth Services, which provides services and assistance to homeless and at-risk youth. While based in Yarmouth, the services are provided to youth in Yarmouth, Shelburne and Digby counties.
Meanwhile, $2 million in renovations are taking place at Rodd Grand Hotel. Upgrades are planned to refresh and modernize guest rooms, fitness facilities, meeting spaces and common areas in that facility.
“We plan on closing down the sixth and seventh floor in late January, early February for interior renovations,” said Rodd.
Read more about the former Rodd Colony Harbour Inn
Closed Yarmouth hotel provides support to local organization as building's future is pondered
