First Two Canyon Lodges in Yellowstone National Park Open Three Weeks Early
For Immediate Release
Photos Available
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Aug. 12, 2015 – Two of the three new lodge buildings under construction at Yellowstone’s Canyon Lodge & Cabins have opened three weeks early, and the third is on track to open as scheduled.
Yellowstone National Park’s Canyon Lodge & Cabins redevelopment project will ultimately result in five new lodges featuring a total of 409 guest rooms. As part of its concessions contract with the National Park Service (NPS), lodge operator Xanterra Parks & Resorts removed the majority of some 400 Frontier cabins last year and is replacing them with lodges featuring modular and sustainable construction.
The first two lodges opened for guests Aug. 1 while the third will open Aug. 22. The two remaining lodges are under construction and will open next summer.
“There is still plenty of work left to perform, but I want to officially congratulate our crews and suppliers for their dedication and hard work that made the early opening possible,” said Jim McCaleb, general manager of Yellowstone National Park Lodges. “We expect some happy guests who will unexpectedly get to stay inside the park this summer.”
Members of the Swanson family – parents Gary and Nancy and sons Kevin and Ryan – from Brielle, N.J. were the first guests to check in. “We walked in here and it was just, wow! Rustic chic,” said Nancy Swanson.
Because of the relatively short building season due to long winters characterized by heavy snow, much of the building was constructed off site using modular techniques – with paint, carpet, tile, lighting and bathroom fixtures already in place – with final assembly and finishing taking place onsite. The lodges will complement the Cascade Lodge which opened in 1993 and Dunraven Lodge which was completed in 1998.
The progression of work leading to the completion of the first three lodges, and progress on the final two lodges can be seen online through a web cam and a time lapse video.
Xanterra is committed to sustainable practices in every aspect of its operation, and new construction is no different. With this Canyon Lodging Redevelopment project the company has taken significant steps related to design and construction that they hope will result in certification by the US Green Building Council’s (USGVC) Leadership in energy & Environmental Design (LEED) program.
Specific steps Xanterra is taking include:
• Hiring a builder located within 500 miles of Canyon Lodge.
• Sourcing many raw materials for assembly and finishing within 500 miles of Canyon Lodge whenever possible.
• Reducing light pollution.
• Recycling and reusing materials generated during demolition.
• Using some retired Frontier cabins for structural firefighting training.
• Using a modular building process. Since the industrial building process is closely controlled and efficient, materials are protected from weather damage and processed to industrial specifications. This step reduces waste typically associated with on-site builds.
• Installing low-emitting, recycled content carpet.
• Using Marmoleum flooring comprised of all-natural rapidly renewable materials.
• Installing high-energy efficient windows featuring low emissions.
• Constructing trim, wainscoting, coat hangers and other wood products from regional beetle-kill pine.
• Installing automated “smart switches” in rooms for reduced energy usage.
• Installing low-flow fixtures and toilets.
• Installing plumbing fixtures featuring recycled content.
• Installing recycled content countertops, window sills and back splashes fabricated from fly ash (a byproduct of coal burning) and ground recycled glass (some of it sourced from the park).
Martel Construction of Bozeman, Mont. is the general contractor for this job. Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture of Denver is the architect. The modular components that ultimately became the lodges were built by Guerdon Enterprises, LLC of Boise, Idaho.
Reservations for Canyon Lodge & Cabins as well as for eight other lodges in the park can be made by visiting www.YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com or by calling 1-307-344-7311 or toll free 1-866-GEYSERLAND (1-866-439-7375).