KILLARNEY—The owners of Killarney Mountain Lodge (KML) have announced their purchase of Killarney’s Sportsman’s Inn Resort and Marina this month. The announcement comes on the heels of a major $18 million renovation to the Lodge property purchased in January of 2015.
Holden Rhodes, who has close family ties and vacationed in Killarney growing up, bought the landmark Sportsman’s Inn to continue to build on his wish to make a difference in the local community.
Mr. Rhodes said his purchase of the Sportsman’s Inn is a catalyst for growth. “I’m delighted to announce the continuation of my plans to provide as much opportunity to Killarney and bring more economic benefits to the area. My long-term vision is to attract more investment and people to the community. This is not only a business investment, but also an opportunity to benefit Killarney into the future and continue to support renewed economic vitality for current and new residents.”
“It’s an honour to showcase these resorts together and build Killarney’s reputation as a natural tourism destination,” Mr. Rhodes added.
This is not the first time both properties have been owned by the same proprietor, with the East family, who sold KML to Mr. Rhodes two years ago, also having operated the Sportsman’s Inn for some of its storied life.
Marc Douris, manager at the Sportsman’s Inn, said he is excited to move forward in a cooperative relationship. “I’m delighted to announce that staff at the Inn will be retained as we join the Killarney Mountain Lodge family. We are working closely with the management team at Killarney Mountain Lodge to ensure a seamless transition.”
Both the Sportsman’s Inn and Killarney Mountain Lodge will retain separate identities but work together to provide visitors with exceptional service, a press release announcing the purchase explains. “The Inn will continue to be a legendary landmark destination that offers luxurious accommodations and spa treatments and Killarney Mountain Lodge, constructed as a private executive retreat in the early 1950s, is undergoing its biggest renovation in the property’s history with an $18 million renovation well underway.”
In an interview with Kelly McAree, general manager of KML, he explained that there are some minor improvements to be done at the Sportsman’s Inn, such as better online representation and a bettering of the menu, but “it’s pretty turnkey.”
“We want to restore more of a heritage feel to it,” Mr. McAree said.
He said it is the wish of the new owners to honour the history of Killarney through both of the properties and to reconnect with those who have visited in the past.
With the ‘buying power’ of both the Sportsman’s Inn and KML, Mr. McAree said he is already hard at work to attract new rendezvous to the area and has already been in conversation with the Great Lakes Cruising Club about hosting its prestigious rendezvous in the next couple of years as well as the Heritage Boat Society’s based out of Michigan.
With its renovation a number of years ago, the Sportsman’s Inn now includes a spa. Mr. McAree said he is looking forward to increasing the traffic to this aspect of their new property and plans to make it an extension of KML. “It’s a way to impact results right away,” he said.
“KML also has a successful excursion program and we will be promoting those,” he added. “We have also been talking to Wikwemikong about excursions to the community for cultural tours and golfing (at the Rainbow Ridge Golf Course).”
Mr. McAree said they are also in preliminary talks with Wikwemikong about a partnership with George Island and its trail with talks expected between both KML, Sportsman’s Inn and Ontario Parks to see that trail cleaned up and better utilized.
KML, and now Sportsman’s Inn, have also been in talks with North Channel Cruise Lines with trips to Killarney and the Lodge from Little Current planned twice a week.
“We think there are a number of opportunities to partner with them,” Mr. McAree said.
“We have this overall goal of reviving the community,” he explained. “We have an aging demographic and we would like to attract more young people, see more students in our school, and we’re doing our best to support the community.”
Mr. McAree said he has heard a great deal of interest expressed this winter in seeing the properties open year round, and he is excited to work on making that happen.
“I’m chomping at the bit to capitalize on winter,” he said.
 have announced their purchase of Killarney’s Sportsman’s Inn Resort and Marina this month. The announcement comes on the heels of a major $18 million renovation to the Lodge property purchased in January of 2015.){kind=link}