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The Daily News, Jacksonville,
N.C.McClatchy-Tribune Regional News
Sept. 09, 2011--ATLANTIC BEACH -- An oceanfront hotel on Bogue Banks will remain closed through the end of the year due to damage from Hurricane Irene. The Sheraton Atlantic Beach has been closed since Hurricane Irene swept the North Carolina coast on Aug. 27. Officials announced Friday that it will take longer than anticipated to reopen due to the impacts of the hurricane. "After carefully reviewing the situation with repair and restoration companies, insurance and safety inspectors, and a host of others, we have regretfully concluded that the safest option for our guests and associates is to temporarily close the hotel in order to thoroughly and efficiently complete the work," general manager Hall Barnes said in the announcement. The hotel is contacting all groups and individuals who were booked through Dec. 31. The hotel's website had initially indicated that the hotel would be closed until Sept. 18. According to the announcement, the hotel's 90 employees will be furloughed during the repair process and work is underway to place the employees in temporary positions with other employers until the hotel can reopen. ___ (c)2011 The Daily News (Jacksonville, N.C.) Visit The Daily News (Jacksonville, N.C.) at www.jdnews.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |