Dakota Dunes breaks ground on new thermal spa

Ground was broken today as Whitecap Dakota First Nation announced its newest addition to the Dakota Dunes Resort.

A $52 million dollar thermal spa will be open to the public at the Dakota Dunes resort in 2026.

Board Director for Whitecap Development Corporation, Frank Royal, started the showcase off with an explanation of what the thermal spa will be like.

“A thermal spa provides people with an opportunity both indoors and outdoors, in all four seasons, (for) men and women to experience a thermal cycle,” he said.

The spa will offer a unique experience that can not be found anywhere else in Canada.

With infused Indigenous themes and elements, the spa will include saunas, cold plunge pools, hot tubs and relaxation areas both indoors and outdoors. The spa is split into two zones, a quiet zone and a social zone so visitors can relax however they would like.

The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, shared that the federal government is providing $15 million to help with the construction of the spa.

The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, wants to see the new spa thrive. (Payton Zillich/650CKOM)

“I really want to congratulate Chief and council and the community for bringing this vision to life, because really it’s your hard work that resulted in this announcement,” she said.

“The business of racism is incredibly expensive for this country. If we want to prosper as a country, we need to get out of that business entirely and move towards the business of ensuring that places like Whitecap have the support and the resources to continue to thrive.”

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Whitecap Dakota First Nation has secured financing for the remainder of construction costs.

Whitecap Dakota First Nation Chief, Darcy Bear, shared some historical statistics in regards to the new spa.

“There are over 300 Thermal spas in Canada and the USA,” Bear said. “The $52 million Dakota Dunes Thermal Spa will be the first one in Saskatchewan and the first Indigenous themed thermal spa in Canada. It will truly make the Dakota Dunes Resort a world class destination.”

Chief Bear said that the construction of the spa will provide 320 construction jobs and 166 operational jobs for members of the Whitecap Dakota Nation and City of Saskatoon.

Whitecap Dakota First Nation is hoping that the new addition will boost the attendance to the resort just 25 kilometers south of Saskatoon, and create a new tourism destination for Saskatchewan.

The thermal spa is set to open in 2026. (Payton Zillich/650CKOM)