By Polly Lynn
posted
Aug 30, 2012
KILLINGTON-Daniel Biecka was the high bidder Friday, August 24,
with $55,000 winning the 15-room Kokopelli Inn on Route 4 in
Killington. In 2010, the inn was appraised for $450,240, according
to town records.
The lodge has a stone fireplace in large reception area,
breakfast room, game room 15 en suite rooms with private baths,
kitchen, spa room with a hot tub and half bath, living room, full
service lounge/bar, enclosed porch and deck, according to Thomas
Hirchak who conducted the auction. About a dozen potential bidders
showed up for the auction, including locals and a few from out of
state. Additionally, two representatives for Lake Sunapee Bank were
present. The bank took over ownership after the inn went into
foreclosure and was allowed to bid in order to keep the property,
Hirchak explained.
The property was auctioned off 'as is,' and $13,300 in past due
taxes will be owed by the purchaser, added Hirchak before the
bidding began.
Hirchak started the bidding at $300,000, but was quick to admit
that he didn't expect hands to be raised at that price, at least to
begin. "I'm always optimistic," he said with a smile.
He tried starting at $150,000, then $100,000, then $75,000 and
still no hands were raised. "I don't care where we start the
bidding, it's where we end up that counts," Hirchak said dropping
the opening bid to $50,000. "That's less than a car!" he
added.
The new low of $50,000 did indeed get the bidding started, but it
was a short run, with Hirchak getting it to $52,500 and then
$55,000, which won the inn. During the process, Hirchak and the
bank held a private meeting after which Hirchak announced that the
bank would not be bidding.
The new owner, Daniel Biecka is from Unionville, Conn. He will
be 32 on Sept. 15. He visited Killington 10 years ago on a ski trip
and fell in love with the Green Mountains. "I just really like
Vermont and we have been looking to buy a place like this in the
area," he said. The inn is his first business to own.
Daniel and his brother, Bob Biecka, plan to restore the inn to
"originally what it was," said Biecka. Flooding from Tropical Storm
Irene severely damaged the inn last year, washing through the
basement and a downstairs apartment. Despite the major repairs
needed, Biecka was optimistic that they could have at least part
opened by this winter.
In 1979, Killington's Tom Rabeck bought the
house and adjacent barn on the 2-acres of land for $60,000, and
then added the addition, which now includes the main entrance.
"It's a steal of a deal!" he said of the auction price.
For the last five years, Chuck and Barbara Bursaw owned the
Kokopelli Inn. The flood caused them an insurmountable loss, which
included their business, home, and jobs, but also extended to their
frequent customers. On their website they posted this brief
description:
"We are also hearing the effects of the loss on the hundreds of
our extended family, the Kokopelli tribe members… From our seasonal
shares who visit every weekend to all our other guests, and our
signature Pot Luck Dinner Friday crew, are who make up the
Kokopelli Inn family. It breaks our heart to see that the Kokopelli
Inn's wounds from Irene run so deep. We pride ourselves on
providing an Inn that brings families together."
Tagged:
Kokopelli Inn, auctioned
