A pair of prominent Jasper National Park hostels are among the many structures lost to wildfires last week.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of HI Jasper and HI Athabasca Falls and by the impact of these fires on the entire Jasper community,” said Julius van Wyk, CEO of HI Canada.
“These fires have destroyed more than just buildings. It’s a feeling of devastation for our membership, our staff, our community. Our thoughts are with all those affected.”
Even before learning the hostels’ fates from Parks Canada, van Wyk said he had seen Facebook videos showing the smouldering rubble that was once HI Jasper.
While some guests left early to avoid the encroaching fires, those who stayed were provided accommodation at other HI Canada properties, he said. HI also found alternative employment for staff, many of whom are from other countries, according to van Wyk.
“A lot of our staff are from Europe or the United States,” van Wyk said. “You can imagine, they moved to Jasper to work and now they don’t have a job, so we want to make sure they can get back on their feet.”
HI Canada is a not-for-profit organization operating a network of more than 30 hostels across the country. HI Jasper opened in 2019, and HI Athabasca Falls Wilderness Hostel opened in 2023.
While van Wyk feels it’s still too early to make plans, he is eager to see the hostels be rebuilt.
“The emotional answer is, yes, that’s what we want to do,” van Wyk said. “We’ll have to consult with our board and membership to make sure what the right steps are. But I’m 99 per cent sure that we’ll rebuild.”
Lenore Neudorf, HI Canada board chair, said in the release: “HI Jasper and HI Athabasca Falls were much-loved hostels in our network, offering breathtaking experiences and access to Jasper National Park’s natural beauty.”
“While we are heartbroken, we look forward to the day we can rebuild. Our mission to connect travellers and introduce this extraordinary place remains unwavering,” Neudorf said.