More Room at the Inn

One of Nova Scotia's most popular resorts is expanding. Oak Island Inn and Marina, which faces the fabled island, is close to completing construction of six chalets and making additional improvements to the inn's interior. The renovations are expected to be complete by May.

"The winterized chalets enable us to offer a variety of accommodation space to our clients year-round," said Ken Petrie, owner and operator of the Lunenburg County inn. "The flexibility enhances our reputation as a highly rated facility and helps us to capitalize on Nova Scotia's growing tourism industry."

The province will provide Oak Island Inn and Marina with a $1.385-million loan. The investment enables the owners to complete construction of the chalets, to make improvements to the inn's interior, and to refinance an existing loan.

"Oak Island Inn is the kind of tourism operation we want to support in Nova Scotia," said Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. "The owners are continually building on their investment by marketing the inn as a year-round business and tourism destination which, in turn, generates employment in rural Nova Scotia."

Oak Island Inn and Marina provides full-time year-round jobs for 40 people. Another 12 Nova Scotians are employed indirectly.
The well-rated operation, which opened in 1974, has 76 units for accommodations, and dining, conference and marina facilities.

In 1998, revenues for Nova Scotia's tourism industry reached a record $1.1 billion.