A rendering of the new 51-room wing at Quaaout Lodge at Talking Rock Resort. (Image Credit: Quaaout Lodge/Contributed)
By Victor Kaisar
Quaaout Lodge

Groundbreaking held as Quaaout Lodge rebuild gets underway four years after fire

Oct 27, 2026 | 5:00 PM

SQUILAX, B.C. — Ground has been broken as work to rebuild the Quaaout Lodge at Talking Rock Resort is set to get underway, more than four years after it was damaged by fire.

A ceremony was held Friday (Oct. 23) afternoon, with representatives from the resort, Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw (Little Shuswap Lake Band), and project partners Reimagine Architects and Greyback Construction.

“[The] groundbreaking represents resilience. It represents our belief in the future. It represents our commitment to creating opportunities for our youth while honouring the vision of those who came before us,” Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw Kukpi7 Diane Francois said at the ceremony.

“We are excited to take this important next step forward and celebrate the beginning of a new chapter for Quaaout Lodge,” a statement from the resort added. “This milestone represents an exciting moment for our resort, our community, and the future of tourism in our region.”

Leadership from Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw, Talking Rock Resort and SGL, along with project partners, at the ceremonial ground breaking on Oct. 23.
Leadership from Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw, Talking Rock Resort and SGL, along with project partners, at the ceremonial ground breaking on Oct. 23. (Image Credit: Christian Oldale – CIPR Communications/Contributed)
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All 70 guest rooms at Quaaout Lodge were destroyed in the fire on May 22, 2022, but no one was seriously injured or killed. The rebuilt accommodation wing will have 51 rooms that face Little Shuswap Lake and connect to the existing lodge, including the restaurant, kitchen and conference rooms.

There will also be a range of wellness amenities – an outdoor pool, hot tub, cold plunges, sauna experiences, along with relaxation and treatment rooms allowing people to unwind and recharge.

The resort says the each floor of the rebuilt wing will feature a different theme – water, earth, canopy and sky. Each floor will carry its theme through colour, materials and cultural elements drawn from Skwlāx stories, symbols and traditions.


(Image Credit: Quaaout Lodge/Contributed)

“This has been a long time coming and we’re excited to finally see construction begin,” Talking Rock Resort Cody Bell said in a statement. “Our community has always believed in building back better and this project reflects that commitment.”

“We’re grateful to our partners, Reimagine Architects and Greyback Construction, for helping bring the vision to life. We look forward to welcoming guests back to an enhanced resort experience for generations to come.”

Construction is expected to be complete by fall 2028.

Quaaout Lodge opened in 1991, though according to the resort’s website, band members conceived the idea of a hotel back in 1979 to spur economic development in the area.

by Victor Kaisar

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