In a press release, the Roosevelt Grand Dakota Hotel, formally known as the Ramada Grand Dakota Hotel, has announced its potential transfer to new management in the near future.
Stephen Barker, the majority owner of the Roosevelt Grand Dakota Hotel, explained how COVID-19 played a major role in the difficult decision.
“Since 2004, the hotel has held over 4,000 weddings, events, and conferences. We are extremely proud to have had the opportunity to serve the Dickinson community and North Dakota in this capacity,” Barker wrote. “Together with our management team, pre-COVID-19, we developed a plan for significant future changes to the hotel, which we believe would have positioned it for greater profitability and service to the community.
“Unfortunately, circumstances changed, and the entire national and international hospitality industry has been hit devastatingly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and more particularly, in areas influenced by oil,” Barker added. “Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to arrange the financial modifications necessary to meet the challenges of the market in an effort to retain management and a long-term interest. Although extremely difficult, we anticipate a transfer to new management in the near future. With our employees and vendors in mind, we have taken the necessary steps to ensure employee compensation and payment to our operational vendors.”
Barker stated that even though he is not a resident of the Western Edge of North Dakota, he will always cherish the hospitality the city of Dickinson offered.
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“To Dickinson, Dickinson State University, the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce, the Dickinson Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the surrounding community, I thank you for your unwavering loyalty and support for the hotel,” he wrote. “I always believed it belonged to the people of Dickinson. You helped us build and sustain that early vision. It is my hope that the 2004 resurrection coupled with 16 years of accomplishments has engendered benefits for all.
Barker thanks all of those that have visited, or worked at, the Roosevelt Grand Dakota Hotel and looks forward to a healthy future for both parties.
The hotel is in its 40th year of operation, currently, no names for potential bidders have been announced. Barker and the Roosevelt Grand Dakota Hotel were unable to be reached for comment.
