Spring Point Inn at the McKernan Center

The Spring Point Inn at the McKernan Center is an inn/training facility for students of the Southern Maine Community College. The inn actually sits within the college campus limits and is home to many events and culinary training. The building has a history to it that dates all the way back to World War I, though it saw a remodeling period in the mid 2000s that made it better equipped to be part of the culinary arts department.

About

The conference center/bed and breakfast known as Spring Point Inn sits on the campus of Southern Maine Community College in South Portland, Maine. The entire campus rests along the edge of the Fore River, which blends into the North Atlantic Ocean. One of the inn's managers describes South Portland as "almost on a peninsula." The unique position of the inn was planned to allow students of the college to practice their hospitality and culinary skills in a hands-on manner. Spring Point Inn is specifically located inside of the campus building called the Peter A. McKernan Center, which is a multi-storied red building on the campus's eastern edge. The inn overlooks the bay, with sights of the surrounding Cushing Island, Fort Scammel, and Peaks Island.

The eight rooms at the Spring Point Inn are varied in style, though they are relatively similar in nature and size. No specific rooms are named at the Spring Point Inn, though there is a suite with an additional bedroom and extra space. The rooms each come equipped with WiFi, cable television, private bathrooms, access to the inn's continental breakfast, toiletries, and views of the shoreline. Additionally, guests may borrow beach towels for their shore excursions, and the inn has elevators for handicap accessibility. The campus area of Southern Maine Community College is full of trees and recreational areas, as well as direct access to the beach. A continental breakfast is served at Spring Point Inn, consisting of foods such as pastries, granola, and yogurt. Assorted juices, coffee, and tea are also available for guests to drink.

As an educational system, the Southern Maine Community College is a two-year public degree college specializing in the arts and applied sciences. There are a little over 6,000 students at the school. Spring Point Inn is open year-round, though they see drops in occupancy from December to February because the weather can be somewhat unpredictable. Their peak season by far is the summer months, spanning from Memorial Day to Columbus Day.

Culture

The culture at the Spring Point Inn is a distinct mix of hospitality and student life. Arguably the most unique feature of the bed and breakfast is the students who work there. These students are typically studying under the culinary or hospitality arts, and they use the Spring Point Inn to showcase and practice their new skills. Guests to the property find the learning atmosphere to be inviting and engaging. Most of the visitors to the bed and breakfast are older adults (aged 65 and up). Other frequent guests include local Maine residents that repeatedly stay at the property. Mostly, the inn has found that people hear about the inn due to word of mouth. There is also a national "inn group" that showcases the Spring Point Inn.

As far as permanent staff members go, only a general manager and professional chef are needed to facilitate the students' efforts. Except for those two individuals, the staff entirely consists of students of Southern Maine Community College. Though they are practicing their educational skills in a hands-on manner (and thus perfection cannot be expected), they still provide quality service, and guests have expressed general satisfaction with their care. One guest said, "We reserved all of the rooms for our wedding. Affordable price, comfortable beds, clean rooms, and friendly staff." Spring Point Inn desires for its guests to feel welcomed, and the managers are always willing to chat in order to get to know those staying at the inn. The smaller size of the bed and breakfast makes these interactions possible.

It should also be noted that the McKernan Center can double as an event venue, offering a space for weddings or other activities on the main floor of the building. If additional space is required for the event, accommodations can be made with Southern Maine Community College.

History

The area around Spring Point Inn used to be a fort during World War I. Specifically, the bed and breakfast (as a building) was constructed during that time, though it was remodeled in 2006. The history of how long the property has been an inn is somewhat unknown. Ownership of the Spring Point Inn is directly managed by the college it resides upon: Southern Maine Community College. It has only been in recent years that the inn has become more of a training center for culinary/hospitality students of the campus.