Nova Scotia's Pictou Lodge resort has gone into receivership.

The owners of the Pictou Lodge said in a statement to CBC News that they couldn't pay the bills.

Wes Surrett, operations manager at the lodge, said the news came as a shock.

Surrett said the lodge seemed to have a good season last year and advance bookings for the coming tourist season looked promising.

Calvin Wadden, one of four shareholders in Pictou Lodge, said in a statement that a serious fire in 2011 and other events have left the resort with a negative cash flow.

Wadden said they have tried to find new buyers. He said they looked at two separate offers but weren't able to reach a deal.

The only option left was to place the resort into receivership.

Wadden said the resort has undergone several millions of dollars in renovations over the past five years and would offer excellent value for any new potential owner.

The resort is closed for the winter. It usually employs between 50 and 60 people during the peak summer season.

Staff have been told the receiver plans to keep the resort open and operating while it searches for a buyer.