Churchill


Plans in the works


for another exciting Churchill project


By Dorothy Dobbie P


rospects have never looked brighter for Churchill as a world-class tourist destina- tion, thanks in part


to a local investor and tour operator, Wally Daudrich. Wally Daudrich and his family, who own


and operate


Churchill’s Lazy Bear Lodge, have a num- ber of exciting projects planned, investing


sev-


eral million dollars into the town and the industry they love. Te plan includes an expansion to the 33-room current lodge and an expanded greenhouse facility where the family grows fresh produce for use in its restaurant.


How to get there Seven flights per week on Calm Air


Flight duration 2 hrs.


tundra,” adds Dawn Daudrich. Wally says the expanded accom- modation will bring additional traf- fic to Churchill in summer, a previously quiet time. In spite of popular belief, summer is an ideal time for polar bear watching enhanced with the experience of seeing the beluga whales. “Te bears are just coming off the ice in early July,” explains Wally. Tey are still very ac- tive and vigorous after spending


the season out on the ice. Tey often have one or two cubs with them.” Lazy Bear Expeditions recently


“We want to


bring more visitors to Churchill,” says Wally. “We believe in this town and its potential as a tourism desti- nation, and we are willing to contin- ue to upgrade our investment.” Also planned is a modified spa experience. “We get a lot of requests for massag- es from older people wanting to relax after a busy day on the ocean or the


46 • Summer 2017


acquired a 40-foot expedition vessel that is helping to develop the sum- mer season. Te Sam Hearne, built for the purpose of whale and polar bear watching, takes visitors into the waters of Hudson Bay and along the coast where 60,000 belugas congre- gate each summer. It’s a magical ex- perience to be among them. As for the Lazy Bear Lodge expan- sion, construction will begin soon.


Beluga whale watching on the Sam Hearne.


Te reason for the urgency? Demand. At this past season’s Rendezvous


Canada, the country’s biggest and most important tourism trade show, Lazy Bear representatives were told by some of the big buyers that Churchill had to either beef up the infrastructure and visitor capacity of the town, or lose business to Yellow- knife, NWT and to Norway; Cana- da’s competitor for polar bear watch- ing. Lazy Bear Lodge is one of those willing to take up the challenge. Roger Harris, of Destination Can-


ada, is a Churchill enthusiast who is working hard to bring more interna- tional travelers here. “It's such an in- credible product and experience,” he comments about Lazy Bear.


The Hub


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