New owners promise to honour Athabasca Hotel’s legacy while investing in its future
The Athabasca Hotel, one of Jasper’s most recognizable landmarks and a fixture of community life for nearly a century, is entering a new chapter.
Jasper-based Decore Hotels has acquired the historic downtown property and plans to invest approximately $4.5 million in renovations and upgrades over the next year, while preserving the character that has made “The Atha-B” a local institution since 1928.
For sisters Karyn Decore and Nicole Arquero, the purchase represents both a business opportunity and a deeply personal commitment to Jasper’s future.
“The Athabasca Hotel is more than a hotel. It is part of Jasper’s identity,” said Decore, president and CEO of Decore Hotels. “As Jasper continues its recovery and rebuild, we are proud to invest in the future of a property that has helped welcome generations of travellers.”
The Athabasca occupies a unique place in Jasper’s history. Built by the Calgary Brewing Company during the community’s early years as a railway destination, the hotel has long been a gathering place for visitors and locals alike.
“Everyone I’ve spoken to has a story about the Atha-B,” Decore said with a laugh. “Some of them don’t want to tell us what the stories are. But people remember when they were in their teens or twenties. It’s an institution.”
While the property’s historic character remains one of its biggest assets, the new owners say modernizing the nearly 100-year-old building is a priority.
Among the first planned improvements are the installation of an elevator, air conditioning throughout the hotel and the addition of private washrooms to guest rooms that still rely on shared facilities—a throwback to an earlier era of hotel design.
“We’re really adding what people demand in hotels in today’s world,” Decore said.
Arquero said the sisters were struck by both the building’s charm and its condition when they first toured the property.
“The structure is beautiful. You walk into the lobby and it’s a beautiful space,” she said. “There is so much character that is unique and that we want to preserve.”
The long-term vision includes a full renovation inspired by the building’s origins, incorporating retro and art deco influences while maintaining a distinctly mountain atmosphere.
The acquisition has also brought reassurance to employees. Decore said nearly all existing staff members have been offered positions under the new ownership and approximately 98 per cent have chosen to stay.
The company has also begun planning employee housing on six lots purchased behind the hotel. The proposed development could accommodate roughly 100 workers, helping address one of Jasper’s most persistent challenges.
Local leadership will remain in place as well. Longtime Jasper resident Murray Pigeon, who began his career at the Athabasca in 2001 and has served as general manager since 2020, will continue leading the property.
As Jasper continues rebuilding following the 2024 wildfire, Decore believes the investment reflects confidence in the community’s future.
“It’s our goal to get people to experience the entire hotel and not just the bar,” she said. “We’re really excited to create new memories and create new stories about this hotel going forward.”
Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com
