After almost a year since closing its doors, the beloved N.W.T. wilderness lodge is preparing to re-open under new management.
On Dec. 21, Blachford Lake Lodge was acquired by Iqaluit-based company, Arctic Kingdom Inc.
“It’s big shoes to fill, and we hope we can take something that’s great and take it to even higher heights,” says Graham Dickson, CEO of Arctic Kingdom Inc.
Blachford Lake Lodge is about 100 km outside of Yellowknife and one of the territories oldest and most established tourism spots.
With this venture Dickson plans to connect Arctic communities, using this bush-based lodge as a central hub for tourists.
“We feel there’s lots of synergies and lots of potential to link different parts of the Arctic,” he says.“We can actually allow people to experience and understand different cultures, different geographies, different wildlife, and make connections.”
New programs focused on cultural studies, and on-the-land training such as hunting, trapping, and learning about wildlife and geography will also become part of the itinerary. Not to mention unseen aurora borealis sites to be explored.
Dickson plans on also maintaining the lodge’s reputation for being Indigenous-led in its programming.
“If you have the right staff and they have the right mindset, then you don’t have to force anything, people will talk to each other.”
Residents of the N.W.T. will also be given a special rate to help encourage local visits.
Dickson confirmed that the Lodge is expected to open in March for private bookings. A full-scale opening is expected next year.
