In August 2020, the Department of ITI, in partnership with the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), launched the Growth and Recovery by Investing in Tourism (GRIT) Fund to help tourism operators in the NWT dealing with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, adapt and position their operations for future growth.

These are their stories… 

They applied for GRIT funding to invest in improvements and innovations to the lodge.Susan Wright of North-Wright Airways in Norman Wells says she and her husband have big plans for their beloved Ten Stone Mountain Lodge. “We dream about having a big wood fire sauna that has beautiful panoramic views, and want to see more water sports out there; and more private cabins,” she says.

Although the pandemic has been particularly hard for tourism operators, it has also afforded an opportunity to slow things down and look at ways to come back stronger. Susan admits they were apprehensive, at first to access funding while “in a survival state because of the pandemic.” However, the decision to apply came from a desire to both enhance the lodge, but also to prepare it for whatever the future may hold.

“We mulled it over and decided to think long term in terms of potential for when the pandemic is over and when things start moving again, we’d have a better and more enhanced product,” Susan recalls.

When it comes to improvements, increased guest capacity is the first thing on the list Susan explains. “In trying to attract people to the lodge, group size is a factor.  It’s something that isn’t really accommodated in the current design. We cater to groups of five or six but we realize that a lot of independent or single travellers don’t necessarily want to be in a room with someone.  We are going to expand our living space options.”

Because of its remote locations in the heart of the Mackenzie Mountains, construction is only set to begin this summer. In addition to expanding the guests’ living spaces, they are planning to add a structure to accommodate their guides, increase their storage capacity and improve access to the shower facility.

Susan and North-Wright Air have big plans for Ten Stone Mountain Lodge down the line.

“The GRIT funding made me think of the long-term function of the lodge, and it made me think of what the next five years will bring, but that also prompted us to think, what’s the next ten, or twenty, or thirty years going to look like for this lodge…?”

The GRIT Fund was both increased and extended before closing in October 2020. Over 90 individuals and companies have received contributions designed to adapt and position their operations for the future.

 

- Ian Keefe