‘It’s a travesty’: Future of Cape Breton’s Keltic Lodge remains in limbo

The future of Keltic Lodge in Cape Breton is still in doubt two years after it closed.

For two years, the main lodge and cottages at the famous Keltic Lodge in Ingonish, N.S. have sat empty along Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail.

“To leave it to go like that, it’s a real shame,” said Fred Neville, a resident of the area.

“It’s a travesty.”

The main building has been falling into further disrepair. The large section of the resort was closed in April 2024 when Parks Canada and Golf North, the company the lodge is under long-term lease to, determined it would cost tens of millions of dollars to bring back up to code.

“Lots of people in this community have worked in the Keltic, or their parents and grandparents have worked there. It’s just - it’s iconic,” said another resident, Carol Milne.

“It is incredibly disappointing that the federal government came to the decision that it wasn’t going to be recognized as a heritage property,” added Victoria County Coun. Tim Donovan.

A federal heritage designation, for which the Keltic Lodge applied, may have helped with the necessary funding. For now, the future of the Keltic Lodge remains in limbo.

Donovan said that’s a shame, given the property has brought recognition to the area from all over the world.

“I’ve been on vacations in other countries where they don’t know where Ingonish is, but when I tell them about the Keltic Lodge, then they know where Ingonish is,” Donovan said.

“It’s that important.”

Jason Leblanc, owner of the Coastal Restaurant and Pub in Ingonish, said fewer weddings at the Keltic Lodge have resulted in smaller lunchtime crowds at his business.

He feels the impact is not only economic, but one that also impacts the region’s reputation.

“It’s affected us,” Leblanc said.

“When you’re losing 50 or 55 rooms to the area, the word of mouth alone, people think the Keltic Lodge is closed and it’s certainly not.”

In a news release, Parks Canada said it commissioned a third-party options analysis to explore potential outcomes for the main lodge and cottages.

The release went on to say that the costs range from $11.6 million to remove the building to $69.5 million for restoration and continued use as a hotel.

“Well, we worry that it will continue to deteriorate to where the only option is to tear it down, which nobody wants to see that happen,” Milne said.

Parks Canada said it is in discussions with Golf North about the terms and conditions of the lease and that both parties must agree before any action is taken.

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