Open house for Cedar Creek Lodge June 16, grand opening June 21

Columbia Falls newest lodge and hotel will open June 21, project managers are saying. Construction on the Cedar Creek Lodge is almost complete as crews are working seven days a week to get it finished for the upcoming summer tourist season.

Construction of the 50,000 square foot, $5.5 million lodge adjacent to Pinewood Park began late last October and went through the winter. It features 64 rooms, including honeymoon suites, a spacious 3,000-square-foot conference center and an indoor pool. Most of the staff of about 20 has been hired, said general manager Leon Stiffarm. Stiffarm is no stranger to the local hospitality scene, he worked for Glacier Park Inc. for years.

“The lodge has the nicest conference room in the north valley,” Stiffarm said last week, noting the events it draws will drive a lot of business to the city.

The lodge is being built by Columbia Falls businessman Mick Ruis. It is an independent resort. Eric Enz is the project construction manager.

“Local businesses will benefit from the vision Mr. Ruis had,” Stiffarm  said.

It’s taking reservations and is listed on Expedia.com as well as Booking.com. In the peak summer season, rooms start about $230 a night, with much lower rates in the shoulder season.

The lodge will host a public open house from 6 to 8 p.m. June 16, where local folks can tour the lodge and meet the staff.

“I want everyone in town to have an understanding of what the lodge experience is like,” Stiffarm said.

Ruis is also remodeling the former Park Merc building on Nucleus Avenue into a pie factory. Ruis has also bought the former Davall Building as well as the block that includes the former First Citizens Bank.

Ruis has said in the past he’d like to turn the Davall building into a mix of retail and housing. 

The First Citizens Bank building currently houses Melby’s Furniture, but future plans for the entire block include a possible restaurant and more housing. Nucleus Avenue has some of the nicest views in the city, provided one is in the second story of a building.