John Korobanik
The six-month, multi-million-dollar renovation of the Chateau Jasper, which re-opened this week, was not only a timely update to the hotel, but also an indication of the optimism of the Mountain Park Lodges ownership group.
To close the Chateau and its 119 rooms for half a year was a major commitment by MPL, but like their decision to gut the old Amethyst Hotel and basically rebuild it as the Crimson, it was the right call.
Hotels get old and tired and need updating. While minor details are constantly being upgraded, eventually Father Time says a major reno is required. Such it was with the Chateau that opened in the mid-‘80s. So, six months and millions later, the new Chateau Jasper began welcoming visitors this week.
While the hotel’s seven suites were updated previously, this newest reno gives the Chateau a more modern mountain look, from the welcoming new front breezeway to the hallways and pleasantly decorated rooms.
Bathrooms are more user friendly, the spacious rooms all have new (and very comfortable) beds and are equipped with microwaves, fridges and bar sinks to better cater to clientele, especially the winter visitors.
The renovation upgraded all 112 rooms, the hallways, lobby and business centre.
At the hotel’s official re-opening celebration Saturday evening, Jasper mayor Richard Ireland perhaps said it best.
“This building, when it closed last October it was perfectly serviceable, but it’s better now is so many ways,” he told a large gathering of locals and invited officials. “In part that’s a reflection of the fact it needed an upgrade, but I think it’s also reflective of the fact the ownership group has confidence in the future, despite the economic downturn. And we’re not immune to it here.
“But despite that there is sufficient optimism that people will invest in their properties and in the community. If the business people have that degree of optimism I think the community ought to be equally optimistic.”
Reading into comments by Edmonton developer John Day, the leader and visionary of the Mountain Park Lodges group that owns six Jasper hotels and is invested in Marmot Basin and the Jasper SkyTram, it’s obvious part of that optimism comes from the “love affair” the group has for the community.
Many of the original seven Edmonton family members grew up together on the slopes of Marmot Basin and on the streets of Jasper. While most of those original founders are no longer with us, their emotional commitment to the community has been passed down to the second generation.
It’s that commitment that has made the Chateau Jasper such an integral part of the growth of Jasper through the decades.
“Although this hotel serves visitors,” Ireland said. “This property has always been and will continue to be available to serve the community.”
The walls of the Geikie Boardroom would have interesting tales to tell of the many political meetings held there.
“The Geikie Room has been used innumerable times by municipal council, before that by the improvement district council and before that by the town committee to hold all sorts of strategic planning and other meetings,” said Ireland. “In fact, a long time ago I hosted a meeting in that Geikie room with Sheila Copps, Minister of Heritage responsible for Parks Canada. And that meeting, I believe, set the groundwork for the agreement for the local government that was later signed. So this hotel has been instrumental in (Jasper’s) development.
“The Tête Jaune Room has hosted many events. My wife bonnie and I held our wedding reception in that room.
“So this property, and others like it in the community, are not just a tourist accommodation facility. It functions equally as a private sector community facility. It serves as an indispensable part of the town’s fabric.”
Since the days when it was famous for its Sunday brunches that were a social highlight of the week, the Chateau Jasper has always been well used by the local community.
“This hotel, MPL,” said Ireland, “is part of the Jasper family.”
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