Help us complete the Kees and Claire Hut

After a very tough year with the Covid mandated shutdown, the Kees and Claire Hut is open and we have guests at the hut most nights already!! We’re very excited to be resuming mostly normal operations. We’re making plans for a few last improvements Solar and Water. We’re officially launching our last fundraising campaign for this hut. The additions planned have operational, environmental and financial benefits for the hut and its users.

We are planning to add a water system by drilling a well and installing a line to the internal plumbing systems of the hut. Currently water comes from snow melt in winter which consumes a lot of propane and the lake in the summer which also needs to be boiled. Better access to clean water will also facilitate cleaning the hut. The other major component we are fundraising for is the solar panels which will further reduce our propane needs. This is all compounded by the fact that propane is flown in by helicopter. So reducing propane reduces helicopter flights. There are huge financial and environmental benefits to installing these systems. The cost savings realized will allow us to fund further improvements and maintenance without fundraising.

The total estimated cost of these two systems is $250,000. Our research and estimates show the well drilling and water system to come in around $220,000 and the solar system has been quoted at $30,000. Both figures include a 30% contingency so we’re quite confident in this budget. Of course we’ve learned building in the mountains is full of surprises. Each system can be worked on independently so we will pursue them as funds become available. We have a detailed budget available for those interested. We have multiple commercial quotes for most of the work items but if you or someone you know would like to donate time or services please get in touch.

We are asking for donations in any size! Every little bit counts. As a Canadian registered charity we will issue tax receipts for all donations. We would have started fundraising earlier but felt it was best to wait until we had booking revenue to cover expenses so every penny from donations went to these capital projects. We still have at least 2 months of good construction weather so with your help we can get started today!

Make a donation now.

Thanks for your continued support! If you have any questions or idea please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Andre Charland
President, Spearhead Huts Society