Skip to content

Parks Canada moving ahead with demolition of Rogers Pass summit buildings

Removal of gas station planned for 2018
9781458_web1_copy_171212-RTR-glacier-park-lodge_2
Glacier Park Lodge has been closed down since 2012. Parks Canada announced this week it will be moving forward with a plan to tear down both the lodge and the adjacent gas station. (Ryan Creary/ File)

Time is running out to see the iconic steep teal roof at the top of Rogers Pass.

Parks Canada announced this week that it would be moving forward with the demolition of the summit’s gas station and Glacier Park Lodge on the Trans-Canada Highway.

“Due to structural deficiencies, soil contamination and the advanced state of building deterioration, the hotel and gas station buildings are unsafe and require demolition,” says Parks Canada.

The removal of the gas station is set to begin in the new year.

RELATED: Glacier Park Lodge in Rogers Pass closes down

The soil contamination is a result of the transportation history of the area. The site of the hotel was used as an industrial yard during the construction and operation of the railway through Rogers Pass.

Parks Canada says it will be moving forward with plans to remove the buildings and remediate the sites.

“The mitigation and remediation of that contamination needs to be brought up to current environmental standards,” it says.

A slideshow on a Parks Canada webpage shows grass in an after view of the summit where the buildings are located in the before photo.

The gas station was shuttered in 2009 and the lodge followed suit in 2012.

The buildings were at the centre of a lawsuit, which was resolved in 2016 when a settlement gave Parks Canada sole ownership of the property.

The lodge opened in the 1960s and was frequented by skiers and hikers accessing the mountains. It was also a haven for travellers stuck between Revelstoke and Golden during road closures.

RELATED: Glacier Park Ldoge future awaits end of legal battle

Parks Canada has funding to build a new public washroom facility and is asking for public input to help inform the future of Rogers Pass.

“The area around Rogers Pass is an integral part of Canada’s national transportation corridor, and offers access to world class hiking, backcountry skiing and breathtaking scenery for any traveller,” it says. “Glacier Park Lodge was a valuable part of these experiences for many years and Parks Canada is pleased to be able to now plan the long term future of this site.”

A three-question survey is now available online. The questions are: What services, amenities, if any, would you like to see in Rogers pass?; During the summer months, there are currently three basic campgrounds (un-serviced sites) in Glacier National Park. Should there be other options to stay overnight in Rogers Pass? If yes, what kind of overnight options would you be looking for?; In your opinion, what else can Parks Canada do to improve the visitor offer at Rogers Pass? Please share your vision of what the offer could look like.


 

@marissatiel
marissa.tiel@revelstokereview.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

9781458_web1_171212-RTR-glacier-park-lodge_1
Glacier Park Lodge was built in the 1960s and has been a landmark for travellers ever since. (File)