Hotel project makes for Walhalla excitement

Excitement and anticipation abound in Walhalla, the County Seat of Oconee, at the prospects that a Georgia couple are in the process to acquire a large former school building on the grounds of the Center for the Performing Arts to develop a hotel.  Among those excited is Mark Thompson, executive director of the performing arts center, who can envision multiple benefits for the community.  Because the deal likely won’t be finished for a few months, Thompson declined to identify the prospective buyers by name, but says they are pursuing a boutique-style hotel of eight suites and 13 regular rooms.  The prospective buyers posted a Facebook message that the project will be called “The Old Oconee Inn”. The 20 thousand square foot building will require adapting for living quarters but, as Thompson points out, it’s a building that has seen recent use by programs of the Foothills YMCA and the Salem Lions Club.  Thompson says the paperwork could take until December and, perhaps, one year or one and a half years for the renovation.