$4.5 Million Plan Unveiled to Restore Iconic Landmark Resort to Former Glory
A recreational and rejuvenation hot spot dear to the hearts of many Oregonians is set to get a new lease of life after plans were announced to reopen parts of the once flourishing Kah-Nee-Ta “fun in the sun” resort on the Warm Springs Reservation.
The Tribal Council for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, which owns the property, recently approved spending $4.58 million from the federal government American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to revive the hot springs getaway, planned to reopen in 2023.
An additional $1.5 million was also approved to repair the wastewater system that serves Kah-Nee-Ta and the local community.
The initial focus of the project will be on renovating the Village area, which is home to geothermal-fed pools and lodging facilities including teepees, RV sites and a 30-unit motel, with the prospect of a major boost to jobs and tourism in the area.
Kah-Nee-Ta, which also included a lodge and golf course before the casino was moved to its new Highway 26 location, was shuttered in 2018 after declining fortunes saw all its 146 employees laid off.
The renovated facilities starting with the Village site and set to include an expansion of hot springs opportunities, will be managed and operated in conjunction with Mt. Hood Skibowl through an agreement with the Warm Springs Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).
Any plans to revisit the old 149-room lodge or discontinued golf course would be addressed in potential future phases.
Tribal elder, former Tribal executive and ex-Kah-Nee-Ta employee, Charles Jackson, said he will be pleased to see the Village reopen, stating, “In the early 1960s our visionary Tribal leaders saw the opportunity to develop a unique tourist attraction in the Kah-Nee-Ta Village and put the Warm Springs Reservation on the map as a major destination.
“My first real wage-earning jobs as a youth were maintenance kid and lifeguard at Kah-nee-ta. I remember visitors eagerly waiting to be served at the weekly traditional salmon bake and raving about the River Room Restaurant’s famous huckleberry cheesecake.
“Credit goes to current Tribal Council and other members of the local community for their support and decision to restore this Oregon landmark, create local jobs for our Tribal youth and begin to rebuild the Reservation’s economy devastated by the Covid pandemic.”
Projected employment opportunities are estimated at over 50 full time and over 80 part time positions during the six-month busy season. The rest of the year it is expected to support over 15 full time and more than 20 part time employees.
Mt. Hood Skibowl, working, with the WEDC, has created a multiphase plan for the Kah-Nee-Ta property. “Tribal Council directed us to focus on the first phase of the plan — to open and breathe new life into the Kah-Nee-Ta Village.” said WEDC Chief Executive Officer Jim Souers. “This phase brings the family-style Village back to life while returning it to what it has always been, a place that contributes to the wellness of those who experience its natural mineral hot spring water. Added to that are the great recreational activities the property supports.”
The Natural Mineral Water Hot Springs along the Warm Springs River has drawn visitors to the Kah-Nee-Ta Village for decades.
The CTWS originally developed the Village as a day use area with an Olympic size swimming pool and limited hot spring soaking in the early 1960s.
Kirk Hanna, owner and president of Mt. Hood Skibowl said, “The Village will once again offer visitors the opportunity to interact with the Reservation community’s native culture and people, experience the hot springs, soak up the sun-filled days and enjoy a variety of recreational activities.
“We are excited to be part of the relaunch of the Kah-Nee-Ta Village to promote the cultural heritage and bring visitors back to experience the natural healing powers of the Hot Springs, which dates back 10,000 years ago.
“In addition, the Village will provide employment opportunities to the community, contributing to the Warm Springs economy.”
Mt. Hood Skibowl operates a ski area and resort in Government Camp, leased from the National Forest, along with other recreational and lodging businesses in Oregon, including Lake Simtustus Resort at Pelton Dam, an hour outside of Bend.
For centuries, many European and Asian cultures have viewed mineral-fed hot springs as a source of health, wellness and healing, but the sector has somewhat lagged in North America, due to a lack of a historic bathing culture prevalent elsewhere.
But there has been a noticeable shift in recent times, as more Americans are looking to nature for its power to calm and rejuvenate.
Tourism consultant and geothermal waters expert Vicky Nash, based in Glenwood, Colorado — the town that boasts the world’s largest mineral hot springs pool — has been on a mission to professionalize the nation’s hot springs industry, including creating the Hot Springs Connection national conference.
The now annual event highlights topics such as: heritage preservation, water stewardship, natural resource protection, standardizing regulatory requirements, utilizing geothermal energy, wellness trends, design standards, hospitality training, tourism marketing and spa operation. She estimates some 28 states have hot springs in one form or another, although the majority are in the West and Southwest.
She is also a driving force behind the first formalized trade group for the industry, the Hot Springs Association, for which she serves as executive director, and a newly-launched “Hot Springs of America” website (hotspringsofamerica.com) that lists and maps every commercial hot springs facility in the U.S.
The rise of wellness tourism in general has brought awareness to the benefits of including healthy eating, yoga, meditation and spa treatments in travel plans. Now the practice of utilizing geothermal waters for their health and healing properties is increasing across the country as a prominent wellness activity.
Nash, who has visited over 80 hot springs destinations world-wide, said, “We are all passionate about the business of hot springs and are ready to take this organization to the next level.
“The purpose of the Hot Springs Association is to unify owners and operators internationally and to collaborate on ways to initiate positive growth.
“Hot springs are being reframed as wellness destinations across the country, especially in the wake of the pandemic and people looking for respite in a safe outdoor environment.
“Currently, the hot springs resort industry is experiencing a significant resurgence in the U.S., with numerous redevelopment and renovation projects underway, and the plans announced for Kah-Nee-Ta fit right in with this trend.”
Souers said that the natural mineral water hot springs at Warm Springs, which have ancient origins, have always been a place to go for wellness and spiritual connection as a long-standing part of Native cultural heritage, and the new project was a way to bring that aspect “back into the fold.”
It would also offer further opportunities to experience and appreciate Native American culture and interact with the Reservation’s community.
About the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs
The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon is based in Central Oregon with a membership of over 5,000 Tribal Members from the Warm Springs, Wasco and Paiute Tribes. The Reservation was created by the Treaty of 1855 between the Indians of Middle Oregon and the United States Government.
About Mt. Hood Skibowl
Mt. Hood Skibowl’s origin dates back to 1928, making it one of the oldest remaining ski resorts in the country. Kirk Hanna purchased the area out of bankruptcy in 1987 and has become the longest and most successful operator of the resort in its history, developing Skibowl into a year-round, winter and summer resort, featuring a summer adventure park with over 20 attractions and developing a 28-acre parcel into Collins Lake Resort lodging property, which features 200, two-and three-bedroom luxury vacation property rentals. Additional companies in Government Camp, under their operational umbrella, include Mt. Hood Outfitters, the leading recreational outfitter guide service in the Mt. Hood National Forest, Ratskeller Bar & Pizzeria and the High Mountain Café. The corporation also operates Pelton Dam Marina and Lake Simtustus RV Park & Marina, a 55-acre lake front resort, located just an hour east of Government Camp in Central Oregon, offering Tiny Home and RV rentals, full hook-up RV sites, lake sport activities and rentals and marina with 47 boat slips.
About the Warm Springs Economic Development Corporation
WSEDC is a wholly owned enterprise of the CTWS with the purpose of create sources of long-term revenue and employment opportunities for tribal members through enterprise business developments.
