Programs in Action: From the Ashes – Namushka Lodge

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April 9, 2019

After the 2016 fire consumed the lodge that had been hosting anglers and outdoor enthusiasts for 34 years, the owners of Namushka Lodge felt as if they had “lost a family member.” But even as the last of the fire was still smoldering, the family had started to plan the rebuild. 

Photo: The Reid Lake fire didn't leave much after it moved through Namushka Lodge.

Now, nearly three years later, and with support from family, friends and the GNWT’s Tourism Product Diversification and Marketing Program, Namushka Lodge will be welcoming their first group of guests this summer AND on into the fall and the winter. 

The Rebuild

Returning guests will be welcomed by familiar sights as the main lodge and cabins sit on their original locations and bear a very similar design.  But the enhanced amenities are modern and state-of-the-art for an isolated lodge in the North. The rustic fishing lodge has been transformed into a high-end vacation spot.

Photo: Aerial shot mid-way through the rebuild.  

The main lodge boasts a full kitchen, improved dining and lounge area. During the rebuild, the owners stepped it up a notch with a larger sun and hot tub deck.

“We took a close look at the evolving tourism industry and found the target market require amenities not usually found at a traditional fishing lodge,” says lodge owner Bryan Chorostkowski. 

Photo: Artist rendering of the newly designed and modern kitchen.

Namushka sleeps 14 guests and features personal heated cabins.  To better serve their guests and diversify their tourism offering, the facility includes full, year-round plumbing and installed full bathrooms in every guest cabin.

Photo: Artiist rendering of the dining and lounge area, featuring massive viewing windows.

Improved Winter Operations

This winter, the lodge will also pivot from a premier fishing lodge, to a leading Aurora viewing and winter adventure chalet. This won’t be the first time Namushka has offered this, but with the rebuild, the family has had the opportunity to improve the buildings for cold weather.

Photo: Equipment came and went during the rebuild via winter roads.

The new lodge and cabins are fully winterized and feature large skylights above beds so guests can fall asleep to the magic of the Aurora. They’ve also built an elevated Aurora viewing platform complete with heated seats.

Located just 53 kilometres East of Yellowknife, Namushka is one of the few commercial lodges that can be reached by snow machine. “This is a great opportunity to partner with other operators in Yellowknife that can accommodate the travel aspect of the winter adventure,” Chorostkowski notes.

Photo: Images from July 2018 show buildings near completion. 

Namushka’s rebuild and diversification is just the thing that the TPDMP was designed for. The program helps operators to reinvent, improve or expand their tourism product and operations through three different funding streams – business transition, product development and marketing assistance.

Although the fire was a tragedy, a new and improved Namushka Lodge has emerged.  ITI’s new Regional Tourism Officer in the North Slave regional office, Michelle Handley,   says she will be as excited as anybody to see the lodge re-open.  “It’s a good feeling to know that we have helped Namushka to get back to business and to rebuild and grow their services in a new direction.” 

The TPDMP is part of a suite of ITI –delivered programming that defines how the GNWT will invest in a stronger tourism industry for the NWT.   

For everything Namushka, visit their website or stay up-to-date on social media.