Sad finale: Kah-nee-ta Resort and Spa closes

After more than five decades, the Kah-nee-ta Resort and Spa on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation closed Wednesday, but that only encouraged some people to come for one last visit.

“I was 13 when I first came, and we just came to swim,” said Marcia Rietmann of Sisters. “I remember my senior year for graduation — a bunch of girls came and stayed in the tipis. Through the years, once I had my children, my son celebrated two birthdays at the pool.”

Memories of the hot springs, pool and tipis date back to the 1960s. The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs bought the hot springs and surrounding property in 1959.

About two months ago, the resort filed a federally required 60-day notice and informed employees it would officially close in early September. and efforts to fund and find a path forward failed in the interim. The closures include the lodge, the village and the golf course.

“I used to be an entertainer, so I used to sing downstairs in the lounge,” said Portland visitor Jay Beatty. “It was pleasant. We had a nice evening just relaxing, and people were still doing their job all the way through.”

The Warm Springs Tribal Council took formal action in late August to close the resort. In a news release, one council member said it’s irresponsible to fund the resort when it’s demonstrated that not enough revenue can be generated to cover the expenses.

“We used to come out here in the late 60s and skip school to come up to the Kah-nee-ta area,” said John Stevens, visiting from Crooked River Ranch. “We have a lot of fond memories, and this truly is an era that’s ending today.”

Madras Chamber of Commerce Director Joe Krenowicz said the resort’s closure not only affects the Warm Springs community, but also neighboring Jefferson County.

“Kah-nee-ta is very important to Jefferson County, not only for the tourism aspect of it, but the aspect of having a location where we can have events that can take on 250 to 300 people,” Krenowicz said.

He also said the lack of employment opportunities at the resort will be felt by many community members.

“You start coming down through the valley, (and) there’s nothing like it,” Beatty said. “It just looks like you’re in a different state. It has a unique visual you don’t see anywhere else.”

“It’s definitely a sad day for Kah-nee-ta,” Rietmann said.