(GoFundMe/Rupert Yee)

By Cam Lee

Resort Fire

Fire destroys much of Bloomfield’s Resort at Deschambault Lake

Jan 2, 2020 | 12:00 PM

The owner of Bloomfield’s Ballantyne Bay Resort at Deschambault Lake hopes to rebulid after a devastating fire.

Owner Gary Bloomfield told northeastNOW he was “totally shocked” when the fire broke out the evening of Dec. 18.

“I went running out and woke up the people in the motel rooms, I had five people in the rooms,” Bloomfield said.

The blaze destroyed the garage, restaurant, bar, and motel units.

“I have cabins down below and I lost all the linens, lightbulbs, tools – I’m working minimal now with basically nothing – chainsaws, grass whips, whatever runs the whole operation was in the garage..and laundry room up top,” Bloomfield said.

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People have been bringing Bloomfield jerry cans for gas and tools, and a company from Kindersley even brought a portable fuel tank.

Fire inspectors have gone through the remains but Bloomfield said they have not received word on a cause as of yet.

Bloomfield said they are still waiting for the insurance to be sorted out.

“I’d like to rebuild, unfortunately the concrete pad is garbage so it’s going to be a spring job,” Bloomfield said. “Hopefully get it cleaned up this winter and start trying to figure out how to rebuild.”

Bloomfield said his resort is the only one open year-round in the area except for Caribou Creek Lodge 127 km away, and after that it’s Flin Flon and Creighton.

The tow trucks at Bloomfield’s are still down, and Bloomfield said they were without power at the house for three or four days, freezing the wood boilers down below.

The cabins at the site are still available for rent by calling 1-306-212-7374.

“I appreciate all the people that have supported us and helped out with things,” Bloomfield said. “I’m going to be working to make it a bigger and better place.”

Bloomfield said he’s thankful for Buddha’s Bait Shop, who have come to set up a bait shop at Bloomfield’s Resort, so anglers can get their bait and tackle.

“[Bloomfield’s Resort] has been there for years but it’s just like anybody running a small business in Saskatchewan, something like this happens I don’t wish it on anybody because it’s not a fun thing to go through,” Bloomfield said.

Bloomfield’s Resort has been in the family since Gary’s parents started the business in 1964.

A Go Fund Me fundraiser has been set up to help Gary deal with the immediate financial needs following the fire.

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cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974