YOHO – The operator of a historic chalet in Yoho National Park is back in business – at least for now.
Parks Canada confirmed Fran Drummond, who has operated a summer business out of Twin Falls Chalet for the past 57 years, will be able to finish her summer season before the chalet is closed for repairs next year and put out to public tender for its future operation.
According to Parks Canada, she met with the federal agency on July 12 to discuss her continued operation of the chalet after she refused to renew her lease since 2014.
The meeting was deemed successful and according to Parks, she is now in good standing.
“Parks Canada has since issued the necessary authorizations for Ms. Drummond to continue to operate the national historic site for the 2019 season,” wrote Lindsay McPherson, public relations and communications officer for Parks Canada.
“Following the 2019 season, there will be a competitive process for the operation of the Twin Falls Chalet, following established government of Canada practices. Twin Falls Chalet will not be open in 2020 in order to provide sufficient time for Parks Canada to manage the competitive process and to make any required repairs or improvements to the facility.”
Drummond did not immediately respond to an interview request, however a week earlier she told the Outlook she refused to a sign a lease because she didn’t agree with the terms to renew her licence of occupation.
According to Drummond, Parks Canada wanted her to pay a percentage of her business’ gross revenue, a condition she said she couldn’t affordable because nearby wildfires over the past few years have significantly shortened her operating season.
With discussions proving difficult, Parks Canada sent her a letter on June 25 informing her that the federal agency had taken possession of the chalet’s facilities.
In response, a GoFundMe account was set up to help Drummond take legal action against Parks Canada raising more than $13,000.
As a national historic site, the lower building was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1908, with construction of the two-storey main lodge completed in 1923. It opened for business the following year as a teahouse.
The federal government owns the remote chalet because it’s located on national park land, but Drummond has been running her business there since 1962.
Despite her licence of occupation expiring at the end of 2014, she continued to operate the chalet in the intervening summers while both parties were in discussions.
“Parks Canada strives to deal with all operators in a fair and transparent manner,” wrote McPherson. “The agency respects Ms. Drummond and her dedication to Twin Falls Tea House National Historic Site.”
