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It has been 30 years in the works, but the official ribbon has finally been cut on Jasper鈥檚 newest hostel.
The hostel has been operating for a couple of months already, but Saturday was a chance for the community to explore the new facility.
鈥淭hey [the community] know it and have driven by it, but hopefully this will make this a bit more welcoming for them to be a part of it,鈥� said regional CEO Alistair McLean at the grand opening.
鈥淲e have been outside the community for years and years, many decades.
鈥淣ow we are in the townsite I think we can be more involved with the community than we have been.鈥�
This Hosteling International property replaces the one on Whistlers Mountain and that land has gone back to Parks Canada.
On Saturday at the new hostel, Jasperites were toured around the common areas, the cafe, guest kitchen, and the dorm and private rooms.
The hostel has 157 beds and the rooms are much quieter than you would expect by the train tracks.
McLean said this is down to triple-glazed windows, extra soundproofing in the walls and the berm, the mound of earth between the building and tracks, absorbing some of the sound.
And for McLean, this is a project he is delighted has come to fruition.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a dream come true,鈥� he said.
鈥淚t's been very well received by travellers who have stayed here and by the community.
鈥淚t鈥檚 great to see people stopping in to be introduced to it and hopefully be part of it.鈥�
