Want to buy a B.C. hot spring?
If anyone’s interested in owning a hot springs resort, there’s one for sale in the East Kootenays.
It’s not a typical piece of real estate. It includes Canada's largest natural mineral hot springs, a 151-room four-season resort, a downhill ski area, three golf courses, timeshare stratas and 190 RV lots, according to the listing, and will set you back roughly $50 million.
The property is on a very scenic location in the Columbia Valley. It comes with 1,229 acres – 668 of them are not developed but have been designated to be.
Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is described in the listing as the centrepiece of the community, and also "a strategic entry into the coveted resort market in Canada."
Susan Clovechok, the director who represents the community through the Regional District of East Kootenay, said one prospective buyer has met with her to get a better understanding of what ownership would entail.
For anyone seriously considering purchasing the resort, she said it’s important to understand how fundamental its role is in the community. And not just as a major employer.
“So many of our full-time and part-time residents are here because of the Fairmont Hot Springs amenities,” Clovechok said.
“The reason why many people purchase here is because they came here as a tourist, and probably as a customer of Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.”
Clovechok is hopeful the new owner will be somebody who vested in the community.
The resort was listed as of last week, although it has since been taken down.
A video of the listing is still up on Colliers' YouTube channel.
It's still for sale but after getting media attention last week, the clients suggested to the realtors that they “lay low,” said Mark Lester, the contact on the listing. He did not offer any further comment.
The sale price just says “$ Call” but Lester told CBC last week the price range is somewhere in the ballpark of $50 million.
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