New Wingate Inn–Lake George to incorporate "Green Building Technology":
96-Room Hotel to Blend Energy Efficient Technology with Local Design Elements;
Will Feature One of Few Indoor & Outdoor Pools in Lake George
LAKE GEORGE, NY (May 15, 2006) – Adirondack Lodging LLC today announced that it plans to open Wingate Inn® hotel in Lake George where energy efficiency and the local environment will play a key role in shaping the facility’s distinctive qualities.
Designed by Phinney Design Group of Saratoga Springs, a consulting firm with an extensive track record in designing "green buildings," structures that strive to minimize human impacts on the environment, the 96-room hotel will include a reflective white roof to keep the building cool, use of locally manufactured materials, and a highly efficient indoor heating and cooling system.
"There are 145 Wingate Inn hotels open nationwide," said Wingate Inn-Lake George General Manager Jason Sherry, noting that the hotel, located on Route 9L opposite Waterslide World, a secluded setting with easy access to all of Lake George and I-87, is slated to open in Spring 2007. "This facility will blend the local culture and landscape with the latest green building technology."
According to Phinney Design Group Founder Michael Phinney, AIA, LEED AP, who also worked on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Headquarters in Albany – the first building in the state to be granted national "Green" Building Certification from the United States Green Building Council – the design challenge was not to "alter elements that are standard for Wingate Inn hotels, but still develop with energy efficiency and guest comfort in mind."
"I think we have designed a building that will hopefully be a model for other hotels as energy conservation and environmental stewardship become more prominent," Phinney said.
In keeping with the Wingate Inn chain, the hotel will incorporate design elements, reminiscent of the local community. The facility will not exceed 40 feet in height to allow the building to blend in with seasonal foliage. The exterior of the four-story building will also feature a locally quarried stone facade, while a palette of earth tone stucco and dark greens will bring the feel of the Adirondacks inside.
"We wanted the Wingate Inn to be an environmentally friendly hotel, yet not compromise the comfort and amenities Wingate Inn guests value the most," added Sherry.
Toward that end, the Wingate Inn-Lake George will feature extra meeting rooms. It will also be one of only a handful of hotels in Lake George to boast both an indoor and outdoor pool.
As part of the Wingate Inn chain, guests will have their choice of comfortable-sized guest rooms or suites. Travelers will also have access to an in-room entertainment system featuring pay-per-view movies. In addition, they will receive an expanded breakfast buffet, a whirlpool, exercise facilities, free accommodations for children 18 and under accompanied by an adult, in-room safes, coffee makers, hair dryers, ironing boards with irons, and the Wingate Inn 100% guest satisfaction guarantee.
The Wingate Inn-Lake George, which will focus on providing comprehensive services to both leisure and business travelers, will offer 24-hour access to a business center with free usage of fax, printing and copying equipment, and there will be wireless phones in every guest room.
The hotel will also feature wired and wireless high-speed Internet access connections in every guest room, as well as in its meeting rooms and boardroom. Guests with a standard Ethernet card and RJ45 connector will be able to enjoy free access to the Internet from guestrooms at speeds up to 50 times faster than conventional 56K modems. Free local and 800 calls with no surcharge for long distance will also be offered.
With its general manager and director of sales already in place, the Wingate Inn-Lake George is already working with regional attractions and accommodations to bring new visitors to the region. There are plans to offer an extensive number of packages that will incorporate the hotel’s lodging options with all of the natural and man-made attractions that bring visitors to Lake George on a year-round basis.