A $100-million Nordic spa and hotel development just west of Calgary is being touted as a major tourism investment that will help attract visitors to Alberta year-round and grow the province's visitor economy.
Officials broke ground Friday afternoon on Everwild Harmony, a 138,000-square-foot spa and hotel development planned for the lakeshore in Harmony Village in Springbank. The 2.23-hectare project, anticipated to open in winter 2028, will feature outdoor thermal pools, floating sauna docks, lakefront relaxation areas, a 26-room hotel and a full-service restaurant for 225 seats. The property is expected to welcome approximately 200,000 visitors in its first year of operation.
A landmark investment in wellness tourism
Sky Mitchell, founder and CEO of Basecamp Resorts, said the location will have something for everyone, including spa rituals, hot tubs, cold plunges and saunas. Mitchell noted that the mountain views, lakeside setting and proximity to the city were major draws to develop at the site.
"We liked that it was just outside of the city, but close enough to downtown and easy to get to," she said. "We really loved the idea of our saunas cantilevering over the lake, the ability to jump into the water as a cold plunge, and just the general vibe here really suited our brand."
Everwild Harmony is one of three wellness centres Basecamp Resorts has planned in Alberta and B.C. following the launch of its Everwild Nordic Spa location in Canmore. The Canmore-based company, which owns 12 hotels in the Bow Valley and B.C., is also planning Nordic spa developments in downtown Banff and Fernie.
Expanding the wellness portfolio
Biral Fisekci, chief strategy officer at Basecamp, said the groundbreaking represents about $100 million in private investment in the tourism, wellness and hospitality sectors in Alberta. He explained that Everwild Harmony will form the foundation of a broader wellness strategy that includes Basecamp's growing collection of destination wellness properties in Canmore, Banff and Fernie.
"Ultimately, we believe these destinations will serve health-conscious travellers and locals alike, who are already participating in the global wellness economy," he said.
At Everwild Harmony, large-scale bathing circuits are structured around cycles of heat, cold and rest. The thermal spa development west of Calgary is set to open in early 2028.
Supporting Alberta's tourism goals
Erin Rooney, a senior manager with Alberta's Ministry of Tourism and Sport, said the project comes at an important moment for the province's tourism industry, as Alberta works toward its goal of building a $25-billion visitor economy by 2035. Rooney emphasized that strengthening Alberta's tourism sector means investing in high-quality experiences that attract visitors looking for something distinctive.
"Everwild Harmony is a strong example of that direction," Rooney said. "It introduces a premium wellness experience that complements the existing strengths while responding to growing global demand for spa, wellness and nature-based tourism."
The development is expected to create jobs during construction and operation, further boosting the local economy. With its combination of luxury accommodations, thermal therapies and natural surroundings, Everwild Harmony aims to position Alberta as a premier destination for wellness tourism in Western Canada.
