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Poconos Resort Closed Due to Failed Safety Inspection

Mountain Laurel Resort and Spa near Lake Harmony is closed. Resort officials said they had no choice after the resort failed a safety inspection. According to r...

Mountain Laurel Resort and Spa near Lake Harmony is closed.

Resort officials said they had no choice after the resort failed a safety inspection.

According to resort officials, this week is usually a big money-maker for them as the NASCAR race is scheduled this Sunday.

However, the resort closed unexpectedly over the weekend and  some guests hoping to use the gym or visit family were instead greeted by locked doors and posted signs explaining the resort is temporarily closed for business.

"I didn't know anything about it," said Wayne Radley of Kidder Township, who was on his way to the gym.

"Disappointed," said Barbara Aichele, also of Kidder Township, expecting to swim in the indoor pool.

Signs posted on the front entrance to Mountain Laurel Resort give this explanation for the closure. "During a mechanical systems inspection, it was discovered that an immediate repair is required for the safety and well-being of our guests."

Other signs only explain, "Due to unexpected circumstances."

Resort officials said guests were staying at the resort at the time and told to pack up their things and relocate to Split Rock Resort about five miles away.

One of those guests is Dennis Colletti from Austin, Texas.

"We called and we were about an hour away and they said they were closed and they were going to upgrade us and put us into another facility right near there," said Colletti.

Back at Mountain Laurel Resort, Newswatch 16 was there when Colletti's brother pulled into the resort, expecting to find his brother.

"There isn't anyone to tell us.  If you didn't tell us that he's in Split Rock, we wouldn't know where he was," said Vincent Colletti of New York.

According to one of the resort attorneys, Mountain Laurel is temporarily unavailable to accommodate guests as repairs are being made to the resort fire safety systems. The attorney says he expects the resort to be up and running in the near future.

But for guests who weren't given that explanation, like Dennis Colletti, his reaction is, "It would have been nice to know ahead of time before I was getting here, but they didn't say a word to me before."

The attorney said guests staying or those who have reservations at Mountain Laurel Resort and Spa are being relocated to Split Rock Resort, which has enough room.

Unfortunately, officials said, Mountain Laurel Resort and Spa will not be open this weekend for the big NASCAR race on Sunday.

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