WILBRAHAM, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) -- The old Lakeside Inn by Nine Mile Pond is getting a fresh new look, and according to those behind the project, excitement is building.

Western Mass News is getting answers on what people can expect and the timeline leading up to the project’s completion.

Cheers and applause filled the historic Lakeside Inn Tuesday morning, and for good reason. After years of vacancy, the landmark is coming back.

We spoke with Co-owner of the Lakeside Inn Joe Sullivan, whose family has been in entrepreneurship for years. He tells us, “It’s a dilapidated property that needs to be renovated. It’s a waterfront property, which is, like, premium... We noticed that there was something wrong here and that something needed to be done.”

Originally built in the 1940’s, for decades the property was an inn with a few rooms on the top floor. After it closed, it turned into multiple restaurants over time.

After Sullivan and his son bought the property this past August, light demo got underway. “We’re going to go a little higher level than your standard commercial hotel to attract someone that wants to stay on a lake and take advantage of a beautiful location and a beautiful room,” he continues.

Sullivan shared the plan with community members and state leaders, saying the project is expected to cost at least $2,000,000.

The plans for the new inn include 15 total hotel rooms, with eight of them upstairs, six downstairs, and an accessible room on the main level.

As for the restaurant, it will have around 100 seats and be leased by a chef. Guests will also enjoy outdoor recreation, with the pond just steps away. Telling us, “I’ve kayaked here for the past 20 years. Swimming, there’s plenty of water sport activities. No motorboats, so it’s peaceful. And then enjoying everything that Wilbraham has to offer.”

The main construction is expected to start this upcoming March and for now, according to Sullivan, the town is thrilled, saying “When this project was mentioned at the planning board meeting, the planning board cheered. So, Wilbraham is very excited.”

Sullivan says if all goes according to plan, the hope is to have the entire property open by the end of next year.

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