Hoodsport's Sunrise Resort getting a makeover

A familiar Hoodsport resort is getting a makeover. Phased construction at the Sunrise Resort, north of town on U.S. Highway 101, is underway with nine new king and queen hotel units coming this summer.

"I feel like the hard stuff is behind us," owner Shawn Benson, referring to permits and financing, told the Journal.

"All we have to do is build it," he said.

There are some things grandfathered in, he said, because it's an existing building, but "we also have to be in compliance."

The new septic system must meet current code, for example.

"Our septic is going to be a quarter of a million dollars. We're putting in a state-of-the-art septic system," Benson said.

Building is happening in stages. Ten rooms and a cottage are currently available at the resort during construction.

Benson posted a Facebook video in March, showing the beginning work. He said the number one question he gets is, "Why did we tear down and replace the building instead of remodeling?"

Benson pointed to a piece of concrete.

"There's no rebar. There's no J-bolts. The building was just sitting on this piece of concrete. Gravity was holding it down. Probably a little bit of love," he said.

Also, the new building will have a higher floor, preventing water intrusion, Benson said.

Since the March video, Benson has "made lots of headway," he said.

"The framers are working away. They're working on the second story right now."

The resort is being built out in sections, he said, so no closure was necessary. He hopes the first third of the new rooms will be open mid-to late summer.

The next phase of construction will include six new kitchen suites, and the final phase will build an improved divers' area and more hotel rooms.

"We've got customers that have been coming there since the early '80s," Benson said. One guest has been vacationing at the resort since 1972.

The new rooms will be compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

"We're going to have ADA ramps, rooms that are wheelchair-accessible, things like that. You'll be able to get around the entire property with ramps."

He said the grounds were accessible before construction, but it will be easier with the new additions.

"If we build the building right, it'll be there for 200 more years. That's our plan. Our plan is to have this building built so it will stand for generations to come," Benson said.

"We're just beyond excited."