Delayed Hotel Opening at Q Burke

It's been nearly two years since the ground breaking for Q Burke's new mountain-side hotel and conference center.

Resort leader Jessica Sechler hopes the hotel will become an economic driver for the region. Unfortunately, guests will have to wait even longer to experience the new facility.

"In most cases our market was day trippers. We were targeting a three, max four hour guest," said Sechler.

But that could be changing for Q Burke.

"Now we have the ability to go beyond that, and when they come, they can stay," said Sechler.

Sechler says the new mountain-side hotel is ready to go.

She believes the 114 room ski-in hotel will boost the Northeast Kingdom's economy.

"I think the hotel for the area brings an incredible opportunity for us to have a consistent ability to host triple if not quadruple that normally could come and stay here," said Sechler.

Director of the Northeast Chamber of Commerce Darcie McCann agrees.

"It puts us on a equal footing with any other ski area in the state," said said McCann. McCann says the Q Burke hotel addresses a severe lack of beds in the region.

She says visitors will be spending money in local shops and restaurants.

The hotel will offer a restaurant, pub and ski shop and tuning center.

The problem is, it's not opening anytime soon.

"I think we as Vermonters in general are reserved folks. We'd like to see it actually happen. We hold back what we think about it until we see it actually comes to fruition. I think that's the case," said McCann.

The construction company which built the hotel, Peak CM still has legal ownership over the property.

Sechler says with multiple funding sources as an EB5 project.

Peak CM is still working with the state to determine who will pay them.

Sechler says it's a tough situation, but asks people who are on the fence about the project to stick with them.

"I don't blame them for feeling like that, I can understand that. But just wait till you see it," said Sechler.

There is no official date set for the opening of the new hotel and conference center.

Q Burke has canceled and stopped taking reservations for before June 1st. That's when they hope to open to the hotel to the public.

Local 22 & Local 44 reached out to Peak CM several times this week for more details on the current payment hold-ups, no one from the company has returned our calls.

http://www.mychamplainvalley.com/news/delayed-hotel-opening-at-q-burke

Mentions

• Jay Peak - Q Burke Mountain Resort, Hotel and Conference Center L.P.

States

• Vermont