Welcome to the new Churchill Wild Blueberry Inn!
Churchill Wild is in the process of building a new facility for our guests in Churchill. The Blueberry Inn will be the perfect place for guests to relax and trade stories and photos before and after their polar bear safaris at our remote ecolodges on the Hudson Bay coast, and if things go according to plan, there should be lots of those!
Located at 253 Kelsey Blvd. in Churchill, phase one of the Blueberry Inn will feature eight ensuite guest rooms along with a 1,500 square foot lounge and will offer guests a cozy level of comfort similar to what they currently enjoy at our polar bear lodges. The Inn will also feature 16 beautiful prints by award-winning wildlife photographer Andy Skillen, who has led a number of polar bear tours and safaris at the Churchill Wild lodges.
The Blueberry Inn lounge under construction in Churchill. Gord Plew photo.
“It will be fully operational by October 1,” said Churchill Wild Operations Manager Gord Plew, who added that Churchill Wild is doing their best to support the Churchill economy through building material purchases, vehicle and equipment rentals, accommodation rentals for tradesman etc. Additionally, almost everything that can’t be bought or rented in Churchill arrives by rail, which works to support the Arctic Gateway Group.
“We’re heavily supporting the local economy and we’re happy to do it,” said Plew. “The Churchill Wild family grew up in Churchill. And we’re bringing in more people who are also spending money. The building is well on its way now and we’re looking forward to opening it for guests.”
Churchill Wild Blueberry Inn. Under a rainbow! Don Gould photo.
On the majority of our polar bear safaris, guests fly to Churchill and then catch their connecting flights shortly afterwards to Seal River Heritage Lodge, Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge or Dymond Lake Ecolodge. Connecting flights generally work the same way when guests are returning from the remote lodges to Churchill, but now, if there are any time gaps or unforeseen weather delays, guests will be able to relax in the lounge at the Inn and stay in one of the guest rooms if required.
“This Blueberry Inn is in a central location for us, which adds another level of certainty and ease of operations for Churchill Wild,” said Plew. “And it will cater to our guests in a fashion they’ve become accustomed to.”
Sounds good to us Gord!
From the Blueberry Inn to Seal River Heritage Lodge. Here we go! Andy Skillen photo.
