The Inn At Bay Fortune held a grand opening today to celebrate the completion of a $551,100 expansion. The Inn has added six new guest units and has expanded the restaurant and kitchen area, allowing it to meet the overflow of demand it has experienced over the past few years.
"The Inn At Bay Fortune offers the type of quality accommodations which have been in high demand in eastern Prince Edward Island," said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Labour, on behalf of the Honourable Fred J. Mifflin, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "This area of the Island has great appeal to many of the people visiting PEI over the summer months, and those people need accommodations if we expect them to stay in the area for any period of time."
With the expansion, the Inn now has 17 guest units, and is open from late May until mid-October. The expansion is expected to create three jobs.
"This is a beautiful, historic inn, with a fabulous view of Bay Fortune," said the Honourable Wes MacAleer, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. "With such superb accommodations and hospitality to clients, it is no surprise that it has become a destination point for discriminating tourists."
The Inn At Bay Fortune is rated at 3½ stars by the Canada Select Accommodation Rating Program. This rating requires that the accommodation offer above-average facilities and services. This includes such things as larger units with additional room furniture, coordinated furnishings, better quality mattresses and linens and extra amenities in washrooms.
"We have a lot to offer our guests," says David Wilmer, co-owner and innkeeper, "the history of the Inn, a beautiful view of Fortune Harbour and the Northumberland Strait, contemporary creative cuisine and a relaxed, casual atmosphere. When people stay with us once, they often return."
"Our new kitchen is state-of-the-art," says Chef Michael Smith, co-owner. "Our guests visit top-notch restaurants around the globe and expect a world-class experience here. This facility allows me to exceed their expectations. It also allows us to produce our new television cooking show, The Inn Chef."
The Inn is the former summer home of Broadway playwright Elmer Harris, and more recently the late actress Colleen Dewhurst who played the part of Marilla in the Anne of Green Gables television mini-series, and her former husband, actor George C. Scott.
Through its Business Development Program, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency has provided a $275,550 loan to assist with the expansion. Enterprise PEI has provided a repayable investment totalling $135,000.