Keltic Main Lodge

Keltic Main Lodge Update – Spring 2026

Parks Canada recognizes the importance and deep connection of the Keltic Main Lodge to residents, communities, and visitors. The April 2024 closure was a difficult decision, but a necessary one due to advanced deterioration and the significant investment required to meet minimum safety standards and codes.

The entire Keltic Lodge and Highlands Links Golf Course remain under a long-term lease to GolfNorth. A third-party options analysis has been completed to explore possible futures for the main lodge. No decisions have been made at this time.

• Option One – Heritage Restoration for Continued Hotel Use
  This option includes the conservation and restoration of the building's heritage character-defining elements. It also addresses accessibility shortcomings, code compliance and deficiencies, and the need for contemporary hotel amenities. Work would restore the original exterior, with full replacement of the existing wood cladding.
  Approximate project cost: $69.5 million*


• Option Two – Removal
  Under this scenario, all main lodge infrastructure east of the landbridge would be removed. Additional infrastructure beyond the lodge could also be taken down at an additional cost, but the existing roadway and trailhead parking lot would remain.
  Approximate project cost: $11.6 million


• Option Three – Adaptive Re-use
  This approach considers adaptive re-use of the building for non-hotel purposes such as community, commercial, or housing uses. The building’s heritage character and exterior appearance would be retained. Its size provides flexibility but also presents challenges, as its footprint would likely exceed what a single user could occupy. A viable re-use plan would therefore likely require multiple users and partners. Potential re-uses could include community and meeting rooms, restaurant, office space, and staff housing.
  Approximate project cost: $58.5 million*

* For option 1 and 3, these project costs include bringing underground infrastructure to current standards.

The Keltic In-Road partial realignment and underground infrastructure work is now complete. The Middle Head Trail and parking lot have also been upgraded, and the trail re-opened to visitors last summer. These recent improvements help to enhance the visitor experience and support the economic prosperity of the area.

Parks Canada is currently in discussions with GolfNorth regarding the terms and conditions of the lease. At this time, the entire Keltic Lodge remains under long-term lease to GolfNorth.

The Federal Heritage Review Office has completed the evaluation of the Keltic Main Lodge. The building is not recommended for designation as a federal heritage building as it does not meet the threshold to be designated at the national level.

The FHRO evaluation looks at four key criteria: history, architecture, landscape, and community. It uses a comparative framework and assesses the federal building against established threshold for designation. While the Keltic Main Lodge did not meet the threshold to be recommended for heritage designation, the assessment recognized the building’s strong connection to its setting and the value many people in the community place on it. A non‑designation does not prevent preservation or reuse; it simply means the building does not meet the technical threshold for federal heritage designation.

There are no decisions yet regarding funding or the future use of the Keltic Main Lodge. As discussions continue and new information becomes available, Parks Canada will update the community. We remain committed to keeping residents informed.

In the meantime, if you would like a copy of the options analysis, or have any comments or feedback, please feel free to email us at infocb@pc.gc.ca