Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Photo © Don Weixl. Photos courtesy Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Restoring By Peter Smith, MBA, CPGA O n July 15, 2012, a huge debris slide travelled down Fairmont Creek, running through the middle of B.C.’s Fairmont Hot Springs Resort (FHSR). About 150,000 m 3 (5.3 million cf) of material—including mud, rocks, and trees—came down the creek, past the lodge, recreational vehicle (RV) park, hot pools, and through Mountainside Golf Course, one of the resort’s three courses. Bridges were washed out. The RV park was completely cut off, stranding 500 people overnight until a culvert and road could be excavated and built. The source of the hot springs was buried under more than 6 m (20 ft) of debris. The domestic water systems 4 May 2013 CG_May2013.indd 4 4/15/13 10:46:40 AM