Presque Isle Inn & Convention Center
Celebrates 10th Anniversary
by Kathy McCarty
A Star City
landmark is celebrating
its 10th anniversary
this July, complete with
a number of upgrades
- in keeping with its
record of exemplary
service, be it dinner in
Gram Russo’s newlyconstructed
solarium
or a night in one of its
completely redecorated
rooms.
The Presque Isle Inn
& Convention Center
has now been owned
and operated by Kevin
B. Simmons, owner
and president of KBS
Enterprises, Inc., for a
decade. The structure
itself dates back nearly
40 years. Simmons said
over the years, the facility
has undergone a number
of changes to better serve the needs
of the community, business travelers
and vacationers. The Presque Isle Inn
& Convention Center is Aroostook
County’s largest full-service hotel and
convention center.
Construction first began at the
Houlton Road location in the summer
of 1972. The Swamp Fox Motor Inn was
completed in June of 1973, under the
ownership of Carroll Hardy, of Brewer,
and Peter Benson, of Washburn, who
served as contractor.
At that time, The Swamp Fox
- as it was more commonly referred to included over 70 guest rooms; a dining room
that served breakfast, lunch and dinner; a
lounge; lobby; meeting rooms and banquet
facilities. The new hotel also included a
pool, saunas, fitness area and a beauty salon.
The project carried a considerable price tag
for that time, exceeding its budget by over
half of the original estimated cost. At time
of completion, the total cost of construction
34 Presque Isle Inn 10th SUMMER 2010