All photos: Northern Development
On September 24, Whiskey Jack Nordic Ski Club (WJNSC) celebrated the grand opening of their brand-new day lodge in Beatton Provincial Park on Charlie Lake. The club’s 200-plus members will enjoy a warm, bright facility for many years to comfortably extend their time on the trails by having a cozy place to warm up – a necessity considering the northeast’s cold winter climate.
“The day lodge will form an important aspect of the overall experience and be the home base for winter recreation enthusiasts of the North Peace,” said Eliza Stanford, past president, WJNSC, in the club’s grant application. “The community benefits are extensive and reach into all areas of life in the North and reach not only local residents but also visitors to the community.”
Prior to the lodge’s completion, children and parents would have to sit in idling vehicles to warm up during or after their ski lesson. Now, they will be able to enjoy the benefits of an indoor wood-burning fireplace before returning to the trails.
“Now that this project is complete and many people have seen it up close, ideas for events are overflowing our inbox,” said Stanford. “We are truly looking forward to this coming winter when we can welcome skiers and other visitors to Beatton Park into the lodge to warm up around the wood stove and look out on a glorious boreal winter forest, with skiers whizzing right past the windows!”
The fully accessible 30×50 foot lodge features vaulted ceilings, efficient wood-burning fireplace, ample windows, energy-efficient lighting, tables and benches, automatic door entry and a barrier free entrance. Downstairs is a walkout basement, which stores an ever-growing rental fleet and event hosting supplies. A large deck extends above the basement doors.
The bright building will be available for rent to community members, providing a new source of income to the club. The new revenue stream will be reinvested in the building, for ongoing and future maintenance of the club’s new asset.
WJNSC made quick work of constructing the building once Northern Development approved funding in July 2021. By August 2022, the project was completed and the lodge will be ready for the 2022/23 ski season. Northern Development invested $298,396 in grant funding through the Recreation Infrastructure program to support this $794,631 project.
