Sunland Inn adds Ephrata location

EPHRATA — Columbia Motel in Ephrata is now named Sunland Inn after two business partners acquired the property.

The partners, Eric Hall, CEO of Illahee Properties, and Scott Tymczyszyn, also have the Sunland Inn in Moses Lake off East Third Avenue, Hall said.

They recently hired a new manager, Brian Dansel, to run the new Ephrata location.

Dansel “is extremely focused on getting the word out that Sunland Inn is a good brand,” Hall commented.

The new location will have the same services the Moses Lake Sunland Inn offers.

Hall emphasized the new location will have clean rooms and attentive management.

They want to eventually offer “stay and play” packages for area golf courses.

“We just want to offer someone a good location in the area,” Hall commented.

The Ephrata building is in good shape as it was re-stuccoed recently, but the new owners will change the rooms to their standards.

The old Columbia Motel sign also needs to be taken down.

There is an option of adding another level onto the existing building, which they may consider.

A new level would allow space for another 20 rooms. There’s currently 16 rooms at the inn.

When hiring is completed, there will probably be three employees working at the location.

Hall said Illahee Properties is a new company in the hospitality business.

“We’re really interested in the Columbia Basin,” he said. “We’re interested in becoming a brand name as far as hospitality goes.”

The downtown Moses Lake location was their first property in the area, which they spent nearly $75,000 in remodeling.

“Being part of Vision 2020 has helped out immensely,” Hall remarked. “We have worked so hard to let people know we’re in the community and want to be a positive attribute to the downtown (Moses Lake) area.”

For more information, go online and visit www.sunlandinn.com or call 877-765-1170, 509-765-1170 for Moses Lake or 509-754-1937 for Ephrata.