The new Takhini Hot Springs facility isn’t that far from opening, but no specific date can be set yet.

That’s what Garry Umbrich, the president of Takhini Hot Springs Ltd., had to say during an interview with the Star in late December.

Back in February 2021, Umbrich had been anticipating a June 2021 opening. With delay after delay on a complicated project, that deadline passed with more public comment.

At the time, Umbrich said he’d like nothing better than to have winter-weary people soaking up some heat at his naturally-heated geothermal facility just north of Whitehorse.

The sentiment holds true today as the facility inches closer to opening.

“I’m not providing a date because the facility is going through inspections, and there’s been a lot of delays,” he said.

“I really wanted to have it open for the Christmas season.”

COVID-19-related delays and accompanying crowd restrictions haven’t helped matters in recent months.

The entire construction process, Umbrich said, has been far more complicated than it would be to construct a building in a city somewhere.

The facility had to construct its own infrastructure, including wells, as well as build parking lots and many other extras.

Once it does open, Umbrich said, there will be a steep winter discount for customers.

He said the admission fee will be between $20 and $40, and he’s determined to make it affordable for Yukon residents, not just tourists.

The cost of entering will float on a time-of-use basis, Umbrich said. Peak times will cost more, while off-times will be discounted.

Umbrich said last February, as many people might remember, the original plan was to have had the new facility open in September 2020, but those plans were foiled by COVID-19-related delays.

The facility will look very different than what Yukoners will remember from its predecessor.

Umbrich said he’s modeling the new facility on a spa resort model, loosely inspired by what others have done, particularly the Scandinave series of semi-luxury spas.

Along with pools of varying temperatures, those spas feature saunas, steam baths, relaxation rooms and services such as massages, meditation and yoga.

“We like what they’ve done, but we’re going to have better prices, mostly because we don’t have to heat our water,” he said.

The new hot springs facility will feature pools, along with saunas and other assorted services.

Visitors will have the option of simply visiting the pools, or taking in the whole experience on a visit he estimates will last three hours or half a day.

That’s what his research indicates the average visitor will stay at a comparable business, Umbrich said.

“We have to keep our admission rates reasonable,” he said last winter. “We know the local market has its limits.”

The development will open as the new Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs.