Nova Scotia·NewA heritage evaluation began nearly two years ago on the federally-owned Keltic Lodge property after its main lodge building and several cottages were closed down in early 2024. Emma Lang of the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia says many of these federal reviews are falling behind schedule, which can impact a building’s upkeep and maintenance.Federal review of Ingonish, N.S., tourism site is underway, but building could deteriorate in meantimeErin Pottie · CBC News · Posted: Dec 11, 2025 2:05 PM EST | Last Updated: 1 hour agoListen to this articleEstimated 4 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.Parks Canada’s Federal Heritage Review Office is tasked with reviewing the main building at Keltic Lodge, per Canada’s national guidelines. The review of the 73-year-old main lodge, which began 2 years ago, will look at the architectural and cultural significance of the property, and other possible future uses. (Tom Ayers/CBC)People who help save historic buildings in Nova Scotia say now is the time to act on preserving a shuttered lodge in Ingonish.A heritage evaluation began nearly two years ago on the federally-owned Keltic Lodge property after its main lodge building and several cottages were closed down in early 2024. The Keltic resort continues to operate, with hotel rooms, restaurants and a spa welcoming guests from May to October. As part of Canada’s national guidelines, any federal-owned building that is 50 years of age or older must be evaluated by Parks Canada’s Federal Heritage Review Office. The review of the 73-year-old main lodge will look at the architectural and cultural significance of the property, and other possible future uses.Emma Lang of the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia said unfortunately many of these federal reviews are falling decades behind schedule, and that can impact a building’s upkeep and maintenance. “That is clearly in my mind a sign of lack of commitment from the federal government to protect these heritage assets that are so wonderful and tell these stories,” said Lang, who is based in Dartmouth, N.S.“As we know from our own experiences, if you let something go too long, it gets harder and harder to do it.”The mandate of the Trust is to preserve and protect Nova Scotia’s built heritage, including structures, districts and landscapes of historical significance. Sacrifice to build the lodgeKen Donovan is a retired Parks Canada historian who has worked to preserve historic buildings in the Ingonish community. He said the fall election may have delayed the release of the heritage review. Donovan also has a personal connection to the Keltic Lodge story, as land was expropriated from his family members, and others in the community, to build the adjacent Highlands Links golf course.Ken Donovan, second from left, is a retired Parks Canada historian who has worked to preserve buildings in the Ingonish community. (Submitted by Ken Donovan)In 1904, the Keltic Lodge property was settled by American industrialist Henry Clay Corson of Akron, Ohio, and his wife, after they were introduced to Cape Breton by famed inventor Alexander Graham Bell.Corson’s summer home located on the Middle Head Peninsula was called Keltic Lodge in honour of Cape Breton’s Scottish heritage. The property was not in use for several years leading up to 1938, when the Province of Nova Scotia purchased it and decided that a new Keltic Lodge should be built to meet the needs of the tourism industry. The current lodge building was constructed in the early 1950s.LISTEN | Empty icon: concerns about the future of the main building at the Keltic Lodge:Information Morning – Cape Breton7:06Empty icon: concerns about the future of the main building at the Keltic LodgeThe main building at the Keltic Lodge has been sitting empty for almost two years now. Some people in the community say the longer it stays that way, the more concerned they are about its future.“There was a lot of sacrifice to have the Keltic Lodge built, right?” said Donovan.“People had to give up their lands, and they built an iconic hotel and people became proud of it after a while and it provided employment. Now it’s going to rack and ruin. And so that causes a lot of concern among people.”Parks Canada has said 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. It’s unclear when, or if, they might reopen, or for what purpose those buildings might be used for.CBC submitted an interview request to the Federal Heritage Review Office through Parks Canada, but they did not respond prior to publication.Donovan said once complete, the federal government should move quickly to renovate and protect the Keltic’s most iconic building.“Get on with it, get it out,” Donovan said “Let’s move on. Let’s make a decision.”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.
Members of heritage community call for action to save main building at Keltic Lodge
