Mount Spokane, Wash. – Bear Creek Lodge, a classic sight on Mount Spokane since its construction in 1953, could be demolished to make way for a new visitor center.
Washington State Parks purchased Bear Creek Lodge in 2023, but it has remained empty.
“The building assessment found major structural deficiencies, wall cracking and signs of failure in the lodge’s unique tension rod construction,” Co-Lead of the Mount Spokane Master Plan process Melinda Wolfman said.
To become operational, the building would require significant and costly repairs.
“The idea of just opening up the lodge, it’s just not feasible,” Wolfman said.
Chair of the Washington State Parks Commissioners, Kelly Connellly says a new building might be the best solution.
“Demolishing and building a modern building that will serve our needs best is the right recommendation,” Connelly said.
However, not everyone agrees with this approach. A survey conducted by Washington State Parks revealed a split opinion: 50% favored renovation while the other half leaned towards demolition or a combination of both.
And during community meetings, some residents expressed concerns over demolishing what some consider to be a landmark.
“We heard really three key themes,” Wolfman said. “One was Bear Creek Lodge. Again, don’t tear it down.”
At the conclusion of Wednesday’s meeting, Wolfman explaining that their preferred recommendation: “Includes a demolition of the Bear Creek Lodge and replacing it with a visitor center.”
A final recommendation will be made in the next few weeks, with the co-leads of the project saying a master plan could be drafted by February.
