Anyone hoping to experience one of the top tourism hotspots in Banff National Park this fall will have to wait … until next year.
The Banff Upper Hot Springs, which sit at the base of Sulphur Mountain and get several hundred thousand visitors a year, will be closed from Sept. 2 to the end of December for maintenance.
The work, largely structural, is part of the federal government’s investment for heritage sites, Parks Canada spokesperson Kelly Veillette said in an email to CBC.
The hot springs work will include replacing the wet membrane beneath the viewing deck platform, adjusting the fence height to meet code standards and updating the accessibility ramp.
Several areas will have tile work done and a rainfall drain will be added near the welcome building to help prevent the ground from getting icy.
The upper hot springs parking lot and transit spots will be open throughout the construction period.
“Parks Canada appreciates the public’s patience and understanding as we enhance this beloved heritage experience,” Veillette wrote in the email.
She didn’t respond to questions about the cost and declined subsequent interview requests from CBC News.
Sacred waters
The site was originally used by Indigenous people as a way to cure illnesses and maintain health because they were considered sacred waters, according to Parks Canada’s website for the hot springs.
The hot springs are 100 per cent natural mineral water and the water temperature is between 37 and 40 Celsius.
The water is heated below the ground and rises towards the surface, carrying minerals from subterranean rock.
Canadian Pacific Railway workers found the hot springs in 1883 and Europeans began visiting the site in 1884.
In the 140 years since, the site has gradually expanded and the bath house is recognized as a federal heritage building.
The springs were closed for a few months early in 2022 due to staff shortages and maintenance work.
