Banff-based Brewster Travel Canada has bought Maligne Tours Ltd. in Jasper National Park.
Officials say there are no anticipated staffing changes, and Pat Cowley, who has been general manager of Maligne Tours for about 40 years, is staying on in her position.
Dave McKenna, Brewster’s president, said Brewster is excited to add this business, which offers boat tours on Maligne Lake, to the company’s portfolio.
“We look forward to opening in the spring of 2016 and working with the existing staff and the experts at Parks Canada to ensure Maligne Lake’s culture and heritage is preserved for future generations of visitors to enjoy,” he said.
Maligne Tours Ltd. currently operates a day lodge and boat tours at Maligne Lake, but offers no overnight accommodations. The former owners proposed to develop overnight accommodation at the lake, including 15 tent cabins and a 66-room luxury hotel.
The hotel was turned down by Parks Canada, but the federal agency indicated it was willing to consider the 15 tent cabins.
Environmental groups, including Jasper Environmental Association and Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, who are being represented by EcoJustice, filed a lawsuit in 2014, asking a federal court judge to scrap the controversial plan.
Both parties were in court Oct. 27-28, 2015. The case is still pending.
Michelle Gaudet, a spokesperson for Brewster, said she is not in a position to talk about any future plans for the tent cabins because there is a pending court decision.
But, she said, Brewster has no new plans for 2016, noting it would be business as usual for Maligne Tours.
“We’re getting the feeling that people think we’re going to come in and make all these changes, but that’s not our plan,” said Gaudet.
“It’s one of the most visited places in Jasper and we want to continue that success. If anything, we’re always working to improve overall guest experience.”
Brewster, which is owned by U.S.-based Viad Corp, owns two hotels in Banff, including Mount Royal Hotel and Banff International Hotel, as well as a boutique hotel located at Athabasca Glacier.
It also owns and operates the Banff sightseeing gondola on Sulphur Mountain, boat tour operation at Lake Minnewanka, glacier trips at Athabasca Glacier and the glacier skywalk, a glass-floored observation platform above the Sunwapta Valley.
Presently, Brewster is redeveloping the upper terminal of the Banff Gondola to include a brand new building, complete with new café and restaurants, a 48-seat interactive theatre, expanded rooftop viewing platform and new conference space.
If all goes according to plan, the gondola will reopen to the public on May 1 with limited sections of the terminal open. The building is expected to be fully open to the public Aug. 1 this year.
