Nova ScotiaA local landmark in the Cape Breton Highlands has been sitting vacant for two tourism seasons, with little known about its future.The centrepiece of the Keltic Lodge Resort was first closed in 2024Erin Pottie · CBC News · Posted: Dec 03, 2025 5:00 AM EST | Last Updated: 3 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 4 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.The main lodge building at Keltic Lodge in Ingonish, N.S., has been closed since 2024. (Tom Ayers/CBC)A local landmark in the Cape Breton Highlands has been sitting vacant for two tourism seasons, with little known about its future.The main building at the Keltic Lodge Resort in Ingonish, N.S., sits on top of a high bluff that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. It has been closed since early 2024, along with several other small cottages on the property.The resort continues to operate, with hotel rooms, restaurants and a spa welcoming guests from May to October. Several other buildings on the large property were fully renovated in 2016. But it was determined in 2024 that tens of millions of dollars would be needed to bring the main lodge building and cottages up to code, including an upgrade of the heating and electrical systems. And it’s unclear when, or if, they might reopen.“By and large, throughout the community, there is a lot of concern regarding the future of the Keltic Lodge,” said Tim Donovan, who represents Ingonish on Victoria County council.“The building itself, the main lodge is, well, it’s iconic to the area.”Donovan said many people living in Ingonish have worked at Keltic Lodge at some point or have family or friends who have worked there. In 2015, Parks Canada—which owns the property—signed a 42-year lease with an Ontario-based company, GolfNorth, to operate Keltic Lodge Resort and neighbouring Cape Breton Highland Links. Since then, GolfNorth has spent more than $4.5 million on renovations on guest rooms and other buildings at Keltic Lodge, but deferred maintenance on the cottages and the main lodge, which was built in 1951.“It’s a beautiful building that employed a lot of people throughout the history of it, and a lot of local people were the ones who built it,” said Josh MacDonald, the owner of an Ingonish accommodation business. “They did put a new roof on it a number of years ago. At some point, I think, it just becomes a little overwhelming with a building that size.”Josh MacDonald is a local carpenter and business owner in Ingonish, N.S., who is worried about the future of the main building at the Keltic Lodge that has been sitting empty for nearly two years. (Submitted by Josh MacDonald )The Keltic Lodge is currently undergoing an internal evaluation by the Federal Heritage Review Office and, according to Parks Canada’s website, there is also a feasibility study underway on future uses for the space.CBC News also reached out to lodge operator GolfNorth, but they did not respond to requests for an interview. However the company told Victoria County council in September that they would like Parks Canada to take back the main lodge building, The Cape Breton Post reported. In an emailed statement, Parks Canada said the federal agency remains committed to keeping the public informed about steps being taken on the future of the Keltic Lodge and will provide updates when available.“Parks Canada recognizes the significance of the Keltic Main Lodge to residents, communities, and visitors,” Parks Canada communications officer Adam Young wrote in an email. On its website, Parks Canada says it is looking at solutions to protect the buildings through the winter months.But Donovan is worried about what will happen if the buildings sit vacant for too long. He said many people in the community would like to see the main lodge repurposed.“Even if it were not to be used as a hotel, then it could be repurposed for other reasons. Maybe a community meeting centre or small museum or something that would keep the building there,” Donovan said. “And it’s not only important to the community, it’s important to Cape Breton Island, it’s important to Nova Scotia. Personally, I think it’s nationally important.”MORE TOP STORIESABOUT THE AUTHORErin Pottie is a CBC reporter based in Sydney. She has been covering local news in Cape Breton for more than 20 years. Story ideas welcome at erin.pottie@cbc.ca.
Concerns raised over future of main lodge at Keltic golf resort in Ingonish
