I worked the Front Desk at the hotel from 1993-1998, learned the world of Hospitality there. Bert and Marlene fought for years for that place. All those timbers were milled right there on site I believe.
Omgosh. Can’t believe the chaos that is there. I am a daughter of the man who really built the hotsprings into a beautiful resort in the early sixties through the 80’s. My dad was a man with drive and a vision He got things done. When his vision grew and he reached out for financial input the consortium he got involved with did not have his vision nor did they care about the family owned and run aspect that was a huge part of the success Unfortunately it floundered after dad was not at the helm anymore. Burt is not the same entrepreneur my dad was. Hopefully one day someone with vision and ambition will come along. Sad to see. Millions of dollars of material there.
By consortium I assume you mean the idiotic Canadian government?! “You have to treat rapidly recharging water with chemicals because we say so! The chemicals that we made you use to clean rapidly recharging springwater are contaminating the environment now you’re gonna have to spend millions more dollars to fix the problem that we created in the first place” Why? cause The Canadian government is full of idiots who are too stupid realize that rapidly recharging Hot Spring water doesn’t need to be treated it just needs to be drained and the pool cleaned periodically. But hey, We’re from the Canadian government and we’re here to help. 🤦♂️
That place is a dream. Your dad did an amazing job. You have no idea what I would do to own a property like that even in that shape. I’d fix it up but by bit. First fir friends (and possibly those whom had been before in the early days) and work towards making such an amazing place available to the public again even if it had to be like a hitting lodge and small numbers. Just the materials that could be reclaimed! Your dad was an amazing visionary and it true,y is a shame it was let go. Wonder what it would take to be able to go there, live there, and fix it up?
@@tetonriver6068 Wasn't it the BC Government? Either way, both levels frequently managed to find ways to royally screw up a good thing. Very sad, because this place looks freaking awesome, and if it was still running today, I'm sure it would be a massive success.
Aww i loved going to swimming there it was soo nice. I love the UFO that was from Expo 86 if anyone remembered going to Expo 86 i also lived in Vancouver BC Canada. The hotsprigs bring back so many memories of my preteen years. So sad to drive by and see the hotsprings rundown
Growing up here in BC and watching things change over the years places like this are interesting but also sad. The more I have seen and learned about our province the more I have seen how so many opportunities, such as this place, have been lost due to government interference and regulation. Thank you for showing us these places and hopefully getting people to realize the opportunities we are loosing out on or at least get to see the cool locations before they are gone!
Well stated commentary on the unfortunate history of a great idea, bout treatment of the water quality to support safety in their guest's, paired with the water quality of the natural environment. Well done. As an entrepreneur and an environmentalist, without a pragmatic approach when considering an investment property, these unforeseen challenges do not get addressed, collapsing all hope and good intentions. I hope this is shared with our great entrepreneur's and future business owners, we all want you to be very successful and wish to enjoy your hard work as consumer's. Let's be realistic, not many people or families endeavor to risk.
If you mean back in the 70s yes I remember the Pinball Machines ( arcade). but I also went there before that building was built, in the Old Hotel that had a large dining area a two pools as well as about 20 -30 rooms
I remember staying at Lakelse hot springs as a child in the 60's. It was a big vacation for my parents at the time, we drove from Vanderhoof up to the hot springs and stayed for 4 days. We had a room with patio doors that opened to the outdoor pool, and I could just run out and play in the pool. A very fond memory from my early childhood.
Wow this hits me right in the feels. The pic at 3:10 is of my family at the bottom of the turtle slide would love to be about of rebuilding the treasure of a place
From someone the grew up in Kitimat and went here so often, thank you for this! Lots of the things you’ve shown weren’t actually ever open for the public, like the round building and the UFO waterpark, so so cool to see what could have been.
I don't have to imagine what it was like in the 90s going to these hot springs. It was my childhood. I grew up there, and every weekend we'd go to the hot springs, or I'd at least ask my mom to. It didn't matter what time of year it was. Hop in the snow, jump in the water. I couldn't even remember if I'd ever been in the restaurant, but as soon as I saw those plastic red chairs, I remembered. I even remember that horse, and that I'd even ridden on it once. It's amazing how just seeing it again, the memories come flooding back. I was devastated when they shut down the pool areas. I thought it was only going to be temporary, but now that it's been so long, seeing the state the place is in, it's surfacing a lot of melancholic feelings. It's a place that meant so much to me as a kid, and to see it waste away like that makes me indescribably sad.
Oh my god thank you so much for doing this adventure to the old Hot springs I used to go their so many times when I was growing up and yes I'm the wife that wouldn't shut up ☺️
Lol maybe you n knew my mum then she worked there when she was younger cause bart and marline were her great grandparents. Hah maybe this summer when i go up to Rupert i'll go check it out.
@@0NYX1A374 yes I do remember the names, my grandpa Ron Parker took me and my sisters also cousin to Swimming their all the time until the shut down the pools side and old high student was working their as well we were all sad that they slowly shut down the pools side 😭💔
I grew up in terrace and I have so many memories of going here as a kid and saving up change so I can get candy from the vending machine. School field trips at the end of the year here was a true celebration...wow simpler times... Now i really respect the wood work and resourcefulness of the builders. Super amazing property! Id love to live there again
Perfect vibration harmony, we need investors,💯 hands on. 💯Yes wellness light vibration. 💥Be service to other's . 🫂I care deeply abouth this, place. Iam in luv. But truthfully, ive had this idea for year's. We will it is free ✋ hands on work live there . We as a tribe . We like minded, we will investors too. Wow dreams will come truth🙏🫂💞
so crazy you dont clorinate hot springs theres a resort in va or west ba salk springs forgets a name it has to do w a us presidernt they dont clorinate the water ,
I played in the UFH2O fountains in 1986 when it was at the Expo in Vancouver. The water bubbled up at various heights and would sort of leap from one spot to another. It was a lot of fun for 10-year-old me. I have pictures of it.
@@machinesnmetal it's the same one. It's one of a kind for sure. It sounds like they never got it working at the hot springs either. So we were pretty lucky!
Seeing this video made me remember the memories I have of going there almost every summer when I was a child,I still remember the smell, sitting there in the restaurant area eating fries and gravy waiting for my friends to come out of the pool, also going down those water slides, freaking out every time I exited the end of the slide lol not being able to breathe but still saying I wanted to go again, Best Days of my life.
I remember all this. I was maybe 6 when we stopped going there. We would spend hours there, and then enjoy the food. Thank you SO much for making this video. Brings back SO many memories. We would also usually play the arcade for 15 min while the adults had afternoon coffee.
On some wood projects they will build from the top down, so they can sand and stain the wood as they go. They can then build the lower levels and bring in needed materials without damaging the finished wood
This is a natural resource that belongs to all the residents of the region. I wish it could become a Provincial or Federal Park. It should be bought and developed like Liard River Hot Springs. The benefits would flow to everyone living here.
I was in Kitimat for work last summer and drove past this place. Saw it briefly as I passed it and I had to turn around and check it out. Looks like it was pretty sweet back in the day. Gotta love the government for ruining a good thing.
Amazing place. Kind of made me sad to see all the obvious effort that once went into this place and now it’s been left to rot. Thanks for the cool video
I want to thank you for this. This place is a special part of my childhood, I've spent many weekends here as a kid when visiting my grandparents, seeing what it has become so heartbreaking, knowing it could have been easily avoided is worse. I'm hoping its not too late and we can still save it somehow. Thank you for coming here, you have no idea what it means to me to get some attention to it.
i spent ten years worth of weekends swimming in the hot springs every Saturday with little buddies. it was paradise beyond belief. affordable, refreshing, healthy and something for me to look forward to at the end of my work week.
This fills me with memories!! My mom worked in that lounge, and my best friend and her family lived in one of the suites and all worked there. My nephews middle name is Bert after the owner! He helped my teenage pregnant sister work. She worked with the livestock, we lived a 15 minute bike ride away I used to explore and play man hunt in the half finished “round house” we called it which I’m pretty sure was made for conferences to be held and a travel destination for business. Thank you for making this video! Re experiencing it is so surreal.
When he revealed the top floor of the conference center the first thing that ran through my mind was " Welcome to Jurassic Park!". Awesome Explore!👍 Hello from Phoenix Arizona!🔥
What a beautiful place. Get to see no or very very little vandalism. It does sadden me to see a once busy place now left to rot. Would have loved to see it in its hay day
Wow you're so lucky you got this tour! I'm so grateful for my memories here, we don't have much in the north so this place meant a lot and it's a shame there couldn't have been a way to save the place.
I have such great memories of going here as a kid. Being SO SCARED going down that water slide, because at the time, it seemed HUGE. It is surreal driving by and seeing the resort in this state. I would love to see life breathed back into it so I could take my kids and make new memories. Happy exploring ✨
Man, I absolutely adored this place and was so heartbroken when it closed down. Years and years of asking why we it can't just come back. Your video does an excellent job of explaining it all~
Wow, some strong nostalgia watching this! Good memories. In my mind I can still hear the lifeguards yelling “Go!” for the next kid to launch into the waterslide.
That was me! Must have said 'Go' four thousand times a day. And scrubbing each and every step up the tower was the worst part of the job. Still good memories, aside from the scrubbing!
Our school used to go to mount layton hot-springs every year in elementary school. I have many memories with friends of all the fun we had!! 💕 its so sad to see it left like this :(
Rather amazing to see how well preserved this building has been kept over the years, the place still has power and everything now they need some good owners with financial resources to complete this project.
Growing up in Kitimat was an interesting time of my life but going to this hot springs was the best part. So weird to see it all in ruin and disrepair. Such happy and blissful memories and if I had the funds I would bring it back to life
That's amazing. I'm quite shocked that no-one has bought it to supply Northern BC, Alaska and more with produce. This place is ripe with opportunities. Great find, great showing Dustin. Safe travels 🤙
That is truly an amazing feet of engineering basically a mathematical genius to come up with those domes like that. Can’t believe they left all their tools there.
Okie dokie. I want to say thanks for allowing us to see inside the round building, that staff used to joke was Bert's potato barn. I worked at Mt Layton as a lifeguard for a year just after it opened, and primarily in the lounge with stints in the dining room and rooftop garden after that. So, I knew the place quite well. And there are more people in the area from whom you could get accurate information. My first bone to pick is the title is misleading. It's not abandoned, but closed and allowed to go fallow with the exception of the farm. You go into areas that are obviously in use still (why is the back bar still stocked and the plants looking healthy in the lounge?). To me, the tools and sawdust in the conference building still look fresh (and if people knew they could get in there with the price of lumber these days???), plus that equipment is not cheap and would not get left behind. The area is only half way up the province, and has had summer temperatures in the mid-30s. One Father's Day weekend we hit a high 38C... Doesn't get too warm? Bwaahahahaha! My understanding is the switch from ozone to chlorine for the pools was more to control algae as we had so much trouble managing it. It would have been great to have been able to stick with the ozone system (I am not certain why it wasn't effective), especially as the system was imported from Europe, was environmentally better and not cheap. As noted in previous comments, the UFO H2O was purchased after Expo 86 where it was a hit. It never really worked after being installed at the hot springs as there were problems with the computer program/system. There was a lot of controversy regarding covering the natural hot spring when the current rendition of the complex was being constructed. It is located to the right behind the fence when coming into the parking area and apparently had an uncommon and highly-specialized biome that lived in and around it. The water was cooled to 104F for the hot tub and around 85-87F for the pools. The waterslide tower was hell to maintain, as there were constant battles with mildew buildup due to the high humidity from the slides. Fun fact, the water cannon was shut down after someone got a fiberglass sliver up their back. The deck tile was a major accident waiting to happen due to it's slipperiness. I am glad I stopped guarding there before having to deal with a major. I dealt more with pressure cuts and getting kids and adult kids to slow down on the deck, especially in the winter, and especially when they stepped off the little lip when exiting the changerooms. The pool-side changerooms were disgustingly humid to the point it seemed you could not dry off to get dressed. They were also pretty small and were the main changerooms in comparison to the larger and newer changerooms adjacent to the Splashdown pool. Numbers in the lounge began to drop after the no drinking and driving campaign and legislation (a really good thing!). In the first few years after opening in the late 80's there were two staff working the floor and one behind the bar, and we still had trouble keeping up. Then it went to 2 staff. Then the pool table was put in as there were fewer people so the extra tables were not needed. Then only one staff person even on Friday nights. I worked through this change. But I have to say, we had kick ass staff, the bar was kept extremely clean, we had some pretty awesome regulars (some even helped us with setting up banquets for the next day XD), and I had some pretty damn good times there. There used to be excellent chefs in the dining room, but they were lured away for better wages, conditions, and opportunities. (Even Dale's 'mistakes' were awesome and the staff got to enjoy those XD) The resort was not maintained properly, there became issues with water quality in the pools, the tower was in serious trouble structurally due to the humidity, projects became eyesores, plans like having a rodeo went by the wayside, and cleared land which was intended to be a golf course is... I have no idea. Wages were minimal, staff didn't get benefits (at least when I was there), and people didn't see the point in driving from Terrace or Kitimat to work there. Good reason why it was sometimes called "Bert's tax break". I really do hope someone will take up the reins and properly take care of the property. There is so much history and beauty in the area (Al Capone hideout!) that it is a shame this eyesore is allowed to be in the state it is.
I’ve been trying to stay out of the comment section recently. I have a hard time behaving myself sometimes 🤦🏻. Something I’m working on. Regardless, your comment drew me in. I’m not sure if it was the insults, the compliments or the flurry of personal stories - both equally bad as good - but I enjoyed reading. It seems you have some stories that I would honestly like to hear and laugh about. Also some history id love to learn contrary to what I have seen. Anyways, I’m camped in prince Rupert right now. I’d be happy to light up a fire one evening if you wanna chat. Thank you for commenting an educated opinion, rather than an insult.
@@Destination_Adventure I apologize if some of the comment came out as an insult :-( Apparently I should have stepped back a bit more before hitting "send". It may have been partly due to hearing so many misconceptions about the area. Not quite as bad as Rick Mercer's "Talking to Americans", but... I am glad you are in PR as it means your have driven probably one of the most gorgeous sections of highway to be found anywhere. Even when it is raining ;-) I am on FB and LInkedIn. Feel free to pm me through either of those platforms.
This is wonderful, and heartbreaking at the same time. All this beauty, going to waste. All this potential, unused and ignored. I mean, the greenhouse! With that place abandoned, there's still thriving plants there! This feels like pearls thrown to swine :-(
Swam here in the from 1965 to 1970 when it was known as Lakelse Hot Springs. We would have snowball fights in the big pool after swimming laps for our swim club.
I grew up right by this and we went all the time... It was the best. It's surreal seeing it in this condition. So many great memories. The turtle slide to braving the cannon ball..
I was born in 87 and grew up in smithers. I have the fondest of memories of this place in the 90s. I remember the whole ufo area after if was built. The turtle was so much fun. I ran up the stairs for those indoor slides a million times. Getting fries in the cafeteria was the best. I'm so sad to see how it is today
I was lucky enough to be able to go there as a child I have great memories so sad to see this I.drove by there last year when we laid my dad to rest and so sad ro see it shut down would have loves to bring my kids but seeing this video really brings those memory back alive
I have so many great memories here as a child! It was so nice to get to see these spaces again even though they look so different from what I remember now. I still remember how exciting it was to go on the big waterslides there for the first time. It was so sad when it closed down.
I have sooo many memories from my childhood going here with the family in the 90’s....incredibly nostalgic to see this place. Unreal how it looks now. What a tragedy. I grew up in Terrace BC
This brought back so many memories; Thank you so much. I didn't think I would be emotional watching it- but I am!!!! I remember it like yesterday... and the cold summer breeze felt so good when you got out of the pools... and life was nice and warm when you jumped back in again!
I grew up in Prince Rupert in the 70's and 80's. Every summer my family and our cousins and Grandparents would all head up to Lakelse to camp at Water Lily Bay. We would always head over to the hotsprings to play on the slides and also to play in the mud spring that was just a klick down the road from there. So many great memories of this place with my brother and cousins, running around up and down those slides. Feel a bit melancholy seeing it all shut down like this. Hopefully it does get bought and refurbished one day though. But man, some of that looks like it will take a huge investment to get it back in shape. Thanks for the video, this was a nice little walk down memory lane. 😊👍
My first job was here as a life guard. Many memories of sliding down the slides after hours once the water was turned off. With just a trickle of water going down, we would get crazy speed and come out the bottom just flying! We would actually land right near the stairs to climb out of the splash pool. Dangerous but so fun! It is bizarre to see it abandoned twice now. I remember seeing the resort in disrepair before the current owners purchased it and always hoped someone would spend the time and money to open it up, sadly just to end up abandoned once again. So sad to see that jewel lose its luster twice. Perhaps one day soon, someone else will step up and polish this up into another world class resort.
Man I love abandoned resorts for some reason. They are so haunting because they are left in a moment in time when there was a clear vision of what was supposed to be...same goes for resorts ruined by hurricanes and stuff. Frozen in time and I just feel like I wish I could have been there when it was thriving! Great vid!
In the 50's there used to be a kids camp nearby on Lakelse Lake. I remember one day the leaders took us on a hike to the hot springs. It was simply a round pool of boiling water which sent a plume of steam into the air. I can also remember my sister being sent there be our doctor in Rupert to cover her body with clay from the pool. This cured her eczema after several treatments. What a shame to see it in disrepair. Thank you for the video Dustin..
I wish someone would swoop in and save the hot springs. If that place was cared for it would be the coolest place on earth. I love everything about these springs. If I ever hit the powerball then IAM COMING TO SAVE THE SPRINGS!
I worked the Front Desk at the hotel from 1993-1998, learned the world of Hospitality there. Bert and Marlene fought for years for that place. All those timbers were milled right there on site I believe.
I can still feel the raw feet you'd get from climbing to the top of the waterslides 50 times in one day!
Omgosh. Can’t believe the chaos that is there. I am a daughter of the man who really built the hotsprings into a beautiful resort in the early sixties through the 80’s. My dad was a man with drive and a vision He got things done. When his vision grew and he reached out for financial input the consortium he got involved with did not have his vision nor did they care about the family owned and run aspect that was a huge part of the success Unfortunately it floundered after dad was not at the helm anymore. Burt is not the same entrepreneur my dad was. Hopefully one day someone with vision and ambition will come along. Sad to see. Millions of dollars of material there.
Sad. Fairmont and Radium thriving, same with Jasper and Banff. Many others too. Yet this one needed chemicals?
By consortium I assume you mean the idiotic Canadian government?!
“You have to treat rapidly recharging water with chemicals because we say so! The chemicals that we made you use to clean rapidly recharging springwater are contaminating the environment now you’re gonna have to spend millions more dollars to fix the problem that we created in the first place”
Why? cause The Canadian government is full of idiots who are too stupid realize that rapidly recharging Hot Spring water doesn’t need to be treated it just needs to be drained and the pool cleaned periodically.
But hey, We’re from the Canadian government and we’re here to help. 🤦♂️
@@2bczar4u So do the others . None are worth a damn anymore .
That place is a dream. Your dad did an amazing job. You have no idea what I would do to own a property like that even in that shape. I’d fix it up but by bit. First fir friends (and possibly those whom had been before in the early days) and work towards making such an amazing place available to the public again even if it had to be like a hitting lodge and small numbers. Just the materials that could be reclaimed! Your dad was an amazing visionary and it true,y is a shame it was let go. Wonder what it would take to be able to go there, live there, and fix it up?
@@tetonriver6068 Wasn't it the BC Government? Either way, both levels frequently managed to find ways to royally screw up a good thing. Very sad, because this place looks freaking awesome, and if it was still running today, I'm sure it would be a massive success.
Watching this breaks my heart, many summers in my childhood was spent there
Winter too lol! Feet burned going from the snow into the water 🤣
I felt the same way....it actually made me sad to watch this.....I loved this place...many memories...it should be open
same here
Breaks my heart to see it like this. So many great memories growing up.
As someone from Northern BC transplanted to Southern Ontario; let me just say thanx so much for the little slices of what will always be home.
Aww i loved going to swimming there it was soo nice. I love the UFO that was from Expo 86 if anyone remembered going to Expo 86 i also lived in Vancouver BC Canada. The hotsprigs bring back so many memories of my preteen years. So sad to drive by and see the hotsprings rundown
Growing up here in BC and watching things change over the years places like this are interesting but also sad. The more I have seen and learned about our province the more I have seen how so many opportunities, such as this place, have been lost due to government interference and regulation. Thank you for showing us these places and hopefully getting people to realize the opportunities we are loosing out on or at least get to see the cool locations before they are gone!
Yeah but the guy showed it like it doesn't exist anymore but it still open, not the hotspring but the hotel and restaurant
Well stated commentary on the unfortunate history of a great idea, bout treatment of the water quality to support safety in their guest's, paired with the water quality of the natural environment.
Well done.
As an entrepreneur and an environmentalist, without a pragmatic approach when considering an investment property, these unforeseen challenges do not get addressed, collapsing all hope and good intentions.
I hope this is shared with our great entrepreneur's and future business owners, we all want you to be very successful and wish to enjoy your hard work as consumer's.
Let's be realistic, not many people or families endeavor to risk.
I used to go there as a kid and teenager. There was an arcade in there as well. It was a blast and a big part of my childhood.
If you mean back in the 70s yes I remember the Pinball Machines ( arcade). but I also went there before that building was built, in the Old Hotel that had a large dining area a two pools as well as about 20
-30 rooms
I remember staying at Lakelse hot springs as a child in the 60's. It was a big vacation for my parents at the time, we drove from Vanderhoof up to the hot springs and stayed for 4 days. We had a room with patio doors that opened to the outdoor pool, and I could just run out and play in the pool. A very fond memory from my early childhood.
I can remember visiting the hotsprings as a child in the mid 70's, and then again in the late 80's.
Wow this hits me right in the feels. The pic at 3:10 is of my family at the bottom of the turtle slide would love to be about of rebuilding the treasure of a place
Must be crazy to see yourself in a video like this!
From someone the grew up in Kitimat and went here so often, thank you for this! Lots of the things you’ve shown weren’t actually ever open for the public, like the round building and the UFO waterpark, so so cool to see what could have been.
Ditto
The UFO water park did for a bit but not for very long.
I grew up in Smithers/Hazelton. I remember seeing the UFO but not really getting to use it.
I don't have to imagine what it was like in the 90s going to these hot springs. It was my childhood. I grew up there, and every weekend we'd go to the hot springs, or I'd at least ask my mom to. It didn't matter what time of year it was. Hop in the snow, jump in the water. I couldn't even remember if I'd ever been in the restaurant, but as soon as I saw those plastic red chairs, I remembered. I even remember that horse, and that I'd even ridden on it once. It's amazing how just seeing it again, the memories come flooding back. I was devastated when they shut down the pool areas. I thought it was only going to be temporary, but now that it's been so long, seeing the state the place is in, it's surfacing a lot of melancholic feelings. It's a place that meant so much to me as a kid, and to see it waste away like that makes me indescribably sad.
Oh my god thank you so much for doing this adventure to the old Hot springs I used to go their so many times when I was growing up and yes I'm the wife that wouldn't shut up ☺️
Lol maybe you n
knew my mum then she worked there when she was younger cause bart and marline were her great grandparents. Hah maybe this summer when i go up to Rupert i'll go check it out.
I grew up in Burns Lake and I loved going there. Was a highlight of my summer camp days also.
@@0NYX1A374 yes I do remember the names, my grandpa Ron Parker took me and my sisters also cousin to Swimming their all the time until the shut down the pools side and old high student was working their as well we were all sad that they slowly shut down the pools side 😭💔
@@sugarbaby20839 I lived in terrace most of my life moved to Williams Lake 4 years now so I got over excited when Dustin did this adventure ☺️
Makes us feel old hey lol
I grew up in terrace and I have so many memories of going here as a kid and saving up change so I can get candy from the vending machine. School field trips at the end of the year here was a true celebration...wow simpler times... Now i really respect the wood work and resourcefulness of the builders. Super amazing property! Id love to live there again
Year round geothermal heated greenhouses would be an awesome operation.
Yes, son of the mustard Tiger.
Perfect vibration harmony, we need investors,💯 hands on. 💯Yes wellness light vibration. 💥Be service to other's . 🫂I care deeply abouth this, place. Iam in luv. But truthfully, ive had this idea for year's. We will it is free ✋ hands on work live there . We as a tribe . We like minded, we will investors too. Wow dreams will come truth🙏🫂💞
Surprised they aren't growing weed already.
To see all that beautiful work go incomplete and unable to enjoy it ... It makes my heart hurt. 😔
so crazy you dont clorinate hot springs theres a resort in va or west ba salk springs forgets a name it has to do w a us presidernt they dont clorinate the water ,
Respect to the locals for not letting this property become victim of vandals!! Great video!!
100%
Because it's still open 🤦😂
Lol yeah this is not abandoned. It's actually one of the best restaurant in the northwest.
This place was awesome! Went here many times as a kid/pre-teen. That drop slide was brutal.
Fun fact, the H2O UFO was a remanent from Expo86.
We were there often. Never saw that kids section open and running. Just the turtle slide pool for the kids.
My understanding was that the minerals from the hot spring water clogging all the plumbing to the features but that could have just been hearsay.
That was the first thing I noticed too. Surprised I remembered the H2O UFO
@@behindnerdglasses The word at the hotsprings was that they either did not purchase/get the computer to make it work, or couldn't get it working.
The cannonball was awesome. Should have been named the spine scraper LoL.
Bureaurats. One thing the world could TRUELY do without.
I played in the UFH2O fountains in 1986 when it was at the Expo in Vancouver. The water bubbled up at various heights and would sort of leap from one spot to another. It was a lot of fun for 10-year-old me. I have pictures of it.
@@machinesnmetal it's the same one. It's one of a kind for sure. It sounds like they never got it working at the hot springs either. So we were pretty lucky!
Phenomenal ! So much beautiful woodwork. I too, hope the “right” buyer comes along some day. Thanks for letting the camera man tour it. ✌️
This makes me sad. So many amazing memories here growing up. The turtle slides were my favorite as a kid!
Wow I remember spending so much time here with my family and running up those stairs all day… makes me sad to see it like that 😢
Seeing this video made me remember the memories I have of going there almost every summer when I was a child,I still remember the smell, sitting there in the restaurant area eating fries and gravy waiting for my friends to come out of the pool, also going down those water slides, freaking out every time I exited the end of the slide lol not being able to breathe but still saying I wanted to go again, Best Days of my life.
SO COOL, WAS THERE WITH MY FAMILY WHEN I WAS A KID 👍🇨🇦🤌
I remember all this. I was maybe 6 when we stopped going there. We would spend hours there, and then enjoy the food. Thank you SO much for making this video. Brings back SO many memories. We would also usually play the arcade for 15 min while the adults had afternoon coffee.
Its great that you put old photos in the video for comparison. Love that effect and visualization.
On some wood projects they will build from the top down, so they can sand and stain the wood as they go. They can then build the lower levels and bring in needed materials without damaging the finished wood
This is a natural resource that belongs to all the residents of the region. I wish it could become a Provincial or Federal Park. It should be bought and developed like Liard River Hot Springs. The benefits would flow to everyone living here.
Or a conservancy as the wetlands at the south of Lakelse Lake are.
I was in Kitimat for work last summer and drove past this place. Saw it briefly as I passed it and I had to turn around and check it out. Looks like it was pretty sweet back in the day. Gotta love the government for ruining a good thing.
Amazing place. Kind of made me sad to see all the obvious effort that once went into this place and now it’s been left to rot. Thanks for the cool video
Great video. It’s nice to see the owner’s let you share the story of this place. If they are watching and reading the comments, thank-you.
I want to thank you for this. This place is a special part of my childhood, I've spent many weekends here as a kid when visiting my grandparents, seeing what it has become so heartbreaking, knowing it could have been easily avoided is worse. I'm hoping its not too late and we can still save it somehow. Thank you for coming here, you have no idea what it means to me to get some attention to it.
i spent ten years worth of weekends swimming in the hot springs every Saturday with little buddies. it was paradise beyond belief. affordable, refreshing, healthy and something for me to look forward to at the end of my work week.
Preserving BC History everywhere you go.. Thanks Dustin, for bringing us along.
Too bad the BC government wouldn't Preserve the history of British Columbia
You have to treat the water before you can swim in it, what about the ocean...
This fills me with memories!! My mom worked in that lounge, and my best friend and her family lived in one of the suites and all worked there. My nephews middle name is Bert after the owner!
He helped my teenage pregnant sister work. She worked with the livestock, we lived a 15 minute bike ride away
I used to explore and play man hunt in the half finished “round house” we called it which I’m pretty sure was made for conferences to be held and a travel destination for business.
Thank you for making this video! Re experiencing it is so surreal.
When he revealed the top floor of the conference center the first thing that ran through my mind was " Welcome to Jurassic Park!".
Awesome Explore!👍
Hello from Phoenix Arizona!🔥
I just love it . It’s just to wonderful not to be used and loved . Canada it just one of the most beautiful places in the world !
What a beautiful place. Get to see no or very very little vandalism. It does sadden me to see a once busy place now left to rot. Would have loved to see it in its hay day
this place looks like paradise. i hope someone brings it back into a year round vacation hotspot.
Crazy location love the architecture
What a profound shame that that place isn't operational. It looks so fun. It would be amazing to see that resort open again.
Growing up in terrace this place was everyones favourite , crazy to see it abandoned, brings back a lot of memories
Wow you're so lucky you got this tour! I'm so grateful for my memories here, we don't have much in the north so this place meant a lot and it's a shame there couldn't have been a way to save the place.
a lot of young memories at that place was so much fun.
I have such great memories of going here as a kid. Being SO SCARED going down that water slide, because at the time, it seemed HUGE. It is surreal driving by and seeing the resort in this state. I would love to see life breathed back into it so I could take my kids and make new memories. Happy exploring ✨
That’s a awesome place! I just wish I could afford it!
Man, I absolutely adored this place and was so heartbroken when it closed down. Years and years of asking why we it can't just come back. Your video does an excellent job of explaining it all~
Wow, some strong nostalgia watching this! Good memories. In my mind I can still hear the lifeguards yelling “Go!” for the next kid to launch into the waterslide.
That was me! Must have said 'Go' four thousand times a day. And scrubbing each and every step up the tower was the worst part of the job. Still good memories, aside from the scrubbing!
Yeah, then you'd stop at the first flat spot and wait for your friends haha
@@homedwell I was so glad I mainly worked on the deck as a guard, especially on quiet days...
@@tommytufguy3432 the guards were on to you, though. We could see the stop point through the ceiling gap from the Splashdown deck ;-)
Our school used to go to mount layton hot-springs every year in elementary school. I have many memories with friends of all the fun we had!! 💕 its so sad to see it left like this :(
Rather amazing to see how well preserved this building has been kept over the years, the place still has power and everything now they need some good owners with financial resources to complete this project.
did you miss the part where the government shut it down?
Growing up in Kitimat was an interesting time of my life but going to this hot springs was the best part. So weird to see it all in ruin and disrepair.
Such happy and blissful memories and if I had the funds I would bring it back to life
I grew up spending a lot of time at this place and it was absolutely magical. I wish it was still open.
That's amazing. I'm quite shocked that no-one has bought it to supply Northern BC, Alaska and more with produce.
This place is ripe with opportunities.
Great find, great showing Dustin.
Safe travels 🤙
I loved coming here as a kid! It’s so sad to see it like this. Would be an epic spot if it was back in action.
That is truly an amazing feet of engineering basically a mathematical genius to come up with those domes like that. Can’t believe they left all their tools there.
Lots of field trips there and lake else with my school in prince Rupert bc 2 hours away from mount Layton
Incredible structure 😯
That conference center is amazing!
Okie dokie. I want to say thanks for allowing us to see inside the round building, that staff used to joke was Bert's potato barn.
I worked at Mt Layton as a lifeguard for a year just after it opened, and primarily in the lounge with stints in the dining room and rooftop garden after that.
So, I knew the place quite well.
And there are more people in the area from whom you could get accurate information.
My first bone to pick is the title is misleading. It's not abandoned, but closed and allowed to go fallow with the exception of the farm. You go into areas that are obviously in use still (why is the back bar still stocked and the plants looking healthy in the lounge?). To me, the tools and sawdust in the conference building still look fresh (and if people knew they could get in there with the price of lumber these days???), plus that equipment is not cheap and would not get left behind.
The area is only half way up the province, and has had summer temperatures in the mid-30s. One Father's Day weekend we hit a high 38C... Doesn't get too warm? Bwaahahahaha!
My understanding is the switch from ozone to chlorine for the pools was more to control algae as we had so much trouble managing it. It would have been great to have been able to stick with the ozone system (I am not certain why it wasn't effective), especially as the system was imported from Europe, was environmentally better and not cheap.
As noted in previous comments, the UFO H2O was purchased after Expo 86 where it was a hit. It never really worked after being installed at the hot springs as there were problems with the computer program/system.
There was a lot of controversy regarding covering the natural hot spring when the current rendition of the complex was being constructed. It is located to the right behind the fence when coming into the parking area and apparently had an uncommon and highly-specialized biome that lived in and around it.
The water was cooled to 104F for the hot tub and around 85-87F for the pools.
The waterslide tower was hell to maintain, as there were constant battles with mildew buildup due to the high humidity from the slides.
Fun fact, the water cannon was shut down after someone got a fiberglass sliver up their back.
The deck tile was a major accident waiting to happen due to it's slipperiness. I am glad I stopped guarding there before having to deal with a major. I dealt more with pressure cuts and getting kids and adult kids to slow down on the deck, especially in the winter, and especially when they stepped off the little lip when exiting the changerooms.
The pool-side changerooms were disgustingly humid to the point it seemed you could not dry off to get dressed. They were also pretty small and were the main changerooms in comparison to the larger and newer changerooms adjacent to the Splashdown pool.
Numbers in the lounge began to drop after the no drinking and driving campaign and legislation (a really good thing!). In the first few years after opening in the late 80's there were two staff working the floor and one behind the bar, and we still had trouble keeping up. Then it went to 2 staff. Then the pool table was put in as there were fewer people so the extra tables were not needed. Then only one staff person even on Friday nights. I worked through this change. But I have to say, we had kick ass staff, the bar was kept extremely clean, we had some pretty awesome regulars (some even helped us with setting up banquets for the next day XD), and I had some pretty damn good times there.
There used to be excellent chefs in the dining room, but they were lured away for better wages, conditions, and opportunities. (Even Dale's 'mistakes' were awesome and the staff got to enjoy those XD)
The resort was not maintained properly, there became issues with water quality in the pools, the tower was in serious trouble structurally due to the humidity, projects became eyesores, plans like having a rodeo went by the wayside, and cleared land which was intended to be a golf course is... I have no idea. Wages were minimal, staff didn't get benefits (at least when I was there), and people didn't see the point in driving from Terrace or Kitimat to work there.
Good reason why it was sometimes called "Bert's tax break".
I really do hope someone will take up the reins and properly take care of the property. There is so much history and beauty in the area (Al Capone hideout!) that it is a shame this eyesore is allowed to be in the state it is.
I’ve been trying to stay out of the comment section recently. I have a hard time behaving myself sometimes 🤦🏻. Something I’m working on. Regardless, your comment drew me in. I’m not sure if it was the insults, the compliments or the flurry of personal stories - both equally bad as good - but I enjoyed reading. It seems you have some stories that I would honestly like to hear and laugh about. Also some history id love to learn contrary to what I have seen. Anyways, I’m camped in prince Rupert right now. I’d be happy to light up a fire one evening if you wanna chat.
Thank you for commenting an educated opinion, rather than an insult.
@@Destination_Adventure I apologize if some of the comment came out as an insult :-( Apparently I should have stepped back a bit more before hitting "send". It may have been partly due to hearing so many misconceptions about the area. Not quite as bad as Rick Mercer's "Talking to Americans", but...
I am glad you are in PR as it means your have driven probably one of the most gorgeous sections of highway to be found anywhere. Even when it is raining ;-)
I am on FB and LInkedIn. Feel free to pm me through either of those platforms.
Loved reading this comment to get some insight on a place that was very beloved in my childhood
@@AudreyF2010 did you end up having a chat? I'd love to see an update on this.
Oh my gosh beautiful absolutely gorgeous wow that’s a keeper Yeah definitely.
This is wonderful, and heartbreaking at the same time. All this beauty, going to waste. All this potential, unused and ignored. I mean, the greenhouse! With that place abandoned, there's still thriving plants there! This feels like pearls thrown to swine :-(
The greenhouse is pretty obviously still being maintained and utilized.
Swam here in the from 1965 to 1970 when it was known as Lakelse Hot Springs. We would have snowball fights in the big pool after swimming laps for our swim club.
Skoglund Hot Springs back in the late 60s early 70s.
I used to work there back in the 90s. Lots of good times as a kid at the slides. Such a shame
I drive past this on the regular and I have never been inside or know any history on this so thank you
ML hotsprings is definitely NOT forgotten- lots of great memories there
Right on buddy! Right accross the road there’s a hotsprings in the woods!!
This is amazing. So much potential. The woodwork is great as well.
I grew up right by this and we went all the time... It was the best. It's surreal seeing it in this condition. So many great memories. The turtle slide to braving the cannon ball..
I was born in 87 and grew up in smithers. I have the fondest of memories of this place in the 90s. I remember the whole ufo area after if was built. The turtle was so much fun. I ran up the stairs for those indoor slides a million times. Getting fries in the cafeteria was the best. I'm so sad to see how it is today
Last time I was here was in 2005 or 2006. It will still operational nut mostly shut down. So many memories of this place as a kid
I can imagine being there as a kid because I was there as a kid. Breaks my heart.
I've actually stayed at the hotel while it was still open while on a work trip. Was so nice to be able to soak after work every night!
1986 till 2001
I spent a lot of time there
I would love to go back
I grew up in
Terrace
I was lucky enough to be able to go there as a child I have great memories so sad to see this I.drove by there last year when we laid my dad to rest and so sad ro see it shut down would have loves to bring my kids but seeing this video really brings those memory back alive
My wife would NOT stop talking during this video she's been to it when it was open, I guess I'm marking this place down for a visit hahaha.
I have many memories of this place when it was open as well. Sad seeing it this way
It was amazing! So many fun times there as a teenager. Wow. Those slides were cool too! Loved it
I used to go to when I was kid. The memories......wow
I have so many great memories here as a child! It was so nice to get to see these spaces again even though they look so different from what I remember now. I still remember how exciting it was to go on the big waterslides there for the first time. It was so sad when it closed down.
Awesome to see, been there 20 years ago!
Yes it has been 20 years ago since the pools sides closed their doors the hotels side still open to the public 🙂
Thank-you for taking us along this tour with you. Such an amazing place.
I’ve lived in Kitamaat since 1990 have swam at the hot springs many times but have never been inside the round buildings thanks for the tour.
Growing up in Kitimat and Terrace made it a perfect world for every one , Crushed to see it never again
I used to work there on the farm. Lived there in the apartment for about a year was awesome living there.
Beautiful layout. Design and woodwork
I can't believe the horse is still there!
I thought the exact same thing!
I also vividly remember reading that no running or horseplay sign by the pool.
Such a part of my childhood. My mom worked at the splash down lounge and my brother and I would be in the pool every day. Thanks for the memories.
I have sooo many memories from my childhood going here with the family in the 90’s....incredibly nostalgic to see this place. Unreal how it looks now. What a tragedy. I grew up in Terrace BC
We want nothing more than for someone to bring it back to life - we all miss it so much.
It’s so depressing seeing it on drives to terrace
@@emilymcconnell3493 Extremely :(
Loved that amazing wood work. To bad they had to close down. God willing it will become green houses.
Wow. That place holds so many childhood memories, and it looks almost exactly the same as I remember (on the inside, anyways).
It could be gorgeous I’m surprised they don’t finish and lease it out for something like weddings sure would be extravagant for weddings
I was amazed to see the place hadn't been completely destroyed by vandals!
This brought back so many memories; Thank you so much. I didn't think I would be emotional watching it- but I am!!!! I remember it like yesterday... and the cold summer breeze felt so good when you got out of the pools... and life was nice and warm when you jumped back in again!
I grew up in Prince Rupert in the 70's and 80's. Every summer my family and our cousins and Grandparents would all head up to Lakelse to camp at Water Lily Bay. We would always head over to the hotsprings to play on the slides and also to play in the mud spring that was just a klick down the road from there. So many great memories of this place with my brother and cousins, running around up and down those slides. Feel a bit melancholy seeing it all shut down like this. Hopefully it does get bought and refurbished one day though. But man, some of that looks like it will take a huge investment to get it back in shape. Thanks for the video, this was a nice little walk down memory lane. 😊👍
My first job was here as a life guard. Many memories of sliding down the slides after hours once the water was turned off. With just a trickle of water going down, we would get crazy speed and come out the bottom just flying! We would actually land right near the stairs to climb out of the splash pool. Dangerous but so fun! It is bizarre to see it abandoned twice now. I remember seeing the resort in disrepair before the current owners purchased it and always hoped someone would spend the time and money to open it up, sadly just to end up abandoned once again. So sad to see that jewel lose its luster twice. Perhaps one day soon, someone else will step up and polish this up into another world class resort.
Wow, such a sad situation. Hopefully the right buyer steps in. What an epic exploration!!
Man I love abandoned resorts for some reason. They are so haunting because they are left in a moment in time when there was a clear vision of what was supposed to be...same goes for resorts ruined by hurricanes and stuff. Frozen in time and I just feel like I wish I could have been there when it was thriving! Great vid!
In the 50's there used to be a kids camp nearby on Lakelse Lake. I remember one day the leaders took us on a hike to the hot springs. It was simply a round pool of boiling water which sent a plume of steam into the air. I can also remember my sister being sent there be our doctor in Rupert to cover her body with clay from the pool. This cured her eczema after several treatments. What a shame to see it in disrepair. Thank you for the video Dustin..
I wish someone would swoop in and save the hot springs. If that place was cared for it would be the coolest place on earth. I love everything about these springs. If I ever hit the powerball then IAM COMING TO SAVE THE SPRINGS!