WARM SPRINGS, Ore. — After six years of being closed down, the popular Oregon resort Kah-Nee-Ta reopened Thursday after undergoing mass renovations.
Kah-Nee-Ta is located close to two hours outside of Portland on the Warm Springs Reservation. The resort originally opened in the 1960s and is home to swimming pools, a hot spring, a lodge, spa, hotel and RV park.
"The resort was all rebuilt and reimagined," said Starla Green with Kah-Nee-Ta.
The resort closed down back in 2018 due to budgetary and maintenance issues. This brought tears to Green's eyes as KGW's Daisy Caballero asked her about those uncertain times.
"It was hard because we walked out of here thinking — we had prayed that we walked out of here with our people," said Green. "We grew up here as part of Kah-Nee-Ta, so it was hard when it closed. But we never lost hope. Just like I've said before, yes [Kah-Nee-Ta] took a rest and took time, but we've always been told as Indian people to never give up. So we were grateful a partnership forward and helped bring it back."
In 2022, the Tribal Council for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Spring approved $4.58 million in funding to bring the resort back. This helped the tribe move forward and start making plans for the future of Kah-Nee-Ta.
"Thanks to the commitment and dedication of our partners, project teams and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Spring, we are thrilled to be welcoming guests back this summer," said Jim Souers of the Warm Springs Economic Development Corporation.
Since being approved to bring the resort back, Kah-Nee-Ta has received $13.1 million in funding from the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, allowing them to undergo mass renovations and expansions. The property now features 30 total pools and many other renovated options for guests.
The resort teased its reopening in mid-June where they posted on Facebook that they would be returning this summer, posting photos of the renovation and their mini golf course.
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