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It took nearly two years, but the Quinn's Hot Springs Resort's new pools opened last Tuesday with a short ceremony by two of the resort's top managers.

Ben Slusser, the managing director, and Damian Albright, the projects manager, used three-foot long ceremonial scissors to cut a ribbon to officially open the new pools to lodging customers.

"It was a long time coming but here we are and now our vision has come to life," said Slusser to the more than 30 Quinn's staff members and quests at the ceremony. It was a chilly rainy afternoon, but immediately following the ribbon cutting, a dozen guests quickly entered the warm mineral rich pools. 

The new pool system was scheduled to be done in July, but COVID-19 caused shipping delays and made parts difficult to get, according to Albright, the resort's project manager whose been with Quinn's for 15 years. Albright is one of three men responsible for maintaining the 800-square foot control room, a million dollar system that governs the pool temperatures and contains dozens of automated features. The Quinn's facilities building manager, Michael McSwain, and Scott Rice, the resort's primary contracted plumber, work with Albright on the pool system.

There are seven pools ranging from three to almost five feet deep. The smallest is 10X18 square feet and the largest is 70X85 square feet. They range in temperatures from 98-106 degrees, said Slusser. However, one pool is a "cold plunge" pool, said Denise Moreth, the resort's general manager. The pool area covers 7,200 square feet and has three waterfalls. It was constructed to blend in with the mountainside with several boulders around the pools. The pools came at a cost of more than $3 million and include an elevator for handicap access and a portable ADA pool lift rated up to 300 pounds. 

"Without sounding too proud or vain, these pools are world class," said Moreth, who's been with the resort 20 years. "Elevating them, placing them into the natural mountainside with the stunning Montana canyon views, sounds of the water falls - all of those elements to enjoy while soaking and more - have created the perfect setting for our soothing healing waters."

Albright said the control room is highly technical, but it is a system that will make maintaining temperatures and cleaning much easier and more effective. He said that everything in the new complex is automated, which saves man hours and eliminates human errors. The temperatures and cleaning operations are all recorded and displayed. "It has redundant backup systems to keep operational even in the event of multiple component failures. Also has built-in alarm and notification in the event of such failures," said Slusser. 

"We are so excited to finally provide an experience that matches the quality of our water," said Slusser, whose wife Erica is the daughter of the late Andre Melief, who owned the resort from 1997-2017.

"We hope that the new pools make people feel like they are experiencing the water in a more natural state while providing all the amenities that people expect of Quinn's hospitality. I couldn't be happier with the team we put together and the way everyone worked together," said Slusser.

The pools were designed by Keven Hambright, owner of Great Northwest Pools & Spas, a Missoula firm. Hambright's crew began building the pools in July 2019 and replaced the 2003 pools, which will be filled in. 

With the new pools comes a new 4,400-square foot facility with changing rooms, lockers and showers, which will be open in the next few weeks. For the first time, there will be a poolside bar for guests. Local contractors are working on the building, which management hopes will be open sometime in May, according to Slusser. 

Ed Moreth

NIGHTLIGHT – Quinn's Hot Springs Resort's new pools show off a variety of colors in the evening.

"Being able to provide quality food to all our guests has always been paramount to Quinn's," said Slusser. "As we have continued to grow this has become challenging on our kitchen. This will provide some relief to the kitchen and also provide some more economical food options for families, et cetera," he said. "We have a little balancing to do and are hoping to finish our new showers, changing and locker rooms so we can welcome our day use guests back soon," said Moreth.

Because of the COVID-19 situation, the pool is open for lodging guests only, but Slusser hopes with the declining number of cases to open the new pools to all. Slusser said he appreciates the support from the Plains and Paradise community. "It has been a pleasure to see positive relationships grow and hope to continue to help support the local community with involvement and economic growth," said Slusser. "This area has a lot to be excited about right now," he added.