
Firefighters put out the massive fire at the Quaaout Lodge near Chase. (Photo via Taryn Bell)
As work to rebuild Quaaout Lodge continues, Skwla̓x te Secwe̓pemcu̓lecw is looking for ways to make it facility that is viable around the year.
Kukpi7 James Tomma says while Talking Rock Golf Course is a big draw during the summer months, the band is looking to find ways to attract people during the winters.
“We’re going to move our spa from where it is and out to where it can be a total spa experience,” Tomma said. “Others things we might have is things like indoor golf. I’ve heard things like possibly a mini-casino but that’s swinging for the fences. One other idea is maybe having interactive activities showing Secwepemc culture like drum making.”
“Everybody has thrown everything into the pot. I told the band membership that we’re open to any ideas… Think about it.”
Tomma Tells Radio NL is especially excited about the potential for the Secwepemc exhibit.
“That is one of the things we’re going to really try and key on where somebody comes in and they see that and then they can go an experience it and come away with a little bit more knowledge on not only the Secwepemc culture but Indigenous culture as a whole,” he said.
All 70 guests rooms at Quaaout Lodge were damaged in a fire in May of last year. Photos and videos from the scene showed a massive plume of smoke which could be seen as far away as Chase on the other side of Little Shuswap Lake.
While design work is nearing completion after the fire in May last year, it is not clear when construction on the rebuilt Quaaout Lodge will begin.
When work does get underway, Tomma says it is expected to take around two years to complete.