Saving Steamboat
Donation protected
Steamboat Inn was in the middle of the Archie Creek Fire that started September 8th, 2020. The devastation from the mega fire to the area is astounding. While our buildings survived, our three water systems (Inn, Campwater Houses, and Hideaway Cottages) and the septic system for the Inn did not. All four systems melted and are a complete loss. The fire burned to within feet of our cottages and at least one has water damage. The valve house that supplies the spring water to the Inn, suites, and cabins was destroyed and all of the plumbing will have to be replaced.
Estimates for the three water systems and the septic system replacement is $40,000-$50,000 EACH. The valve house plumbing, electrical, and structural repair quote is $20,000. We do not have the quote for the cottage water damage repair yet. We also have substantial business losses from closing three months early (after opening three months late) and $15,000 of food was spoiled during the two week evacuation with out power. We are still without phone lines. We are unable to take any reservations for 2021 yet as we do not know when we will be able to reopen.
Of course we have submitted an insurance claim but is has become clear that though we will get some reimbursement, much of the damages will not be covered. We are looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs that will have to be out of pocket. Thanks to the Covid-19 shutdown and then the fire, we were only able to be open for three months in 2020. Our finances are already stretched.
Travis and I bought the historic Steamboat Inn May 1, 2017. We moved to the Inn with our girls. Carmen is 6 and McKenzie is 12. Steamboat Inn is our business, our home, and our life. We mortgaged our property and risked all of our savings and possessions to make the purchase. My family is currently living at the Inn without water or septic. The timeline for the completion of repairs is spring of 2021. That is a long time to live like you are camping in your own home but we are trying to make the best of it. We are also trying to make sure our staff survives until we are able to reopen as they only were able to work for three months of 2020 and some lost their homes in the fire as well.
This fire is the fourth natural disaster we have faced in our three and a half years of ownership. We were very proud that we have been able to weather each storm on our own and come back stronger as a family, team, and business; but we are going to have to ask for help this time. Asking for help does not come easy for us but we need to put preserving Steamboat Inn for future generations ahead of our pride.
Thank you for any help you are able to provide and for your support of Steamboat Inn. We hope to be able to welcome you back soon and wish for a better 2021 for everyone.
The Woodward Family and the Steamboat Inn Staff
Estimates for the three water systems and the septic system replacement is $40,000-$50,000 EACH. The valve house plumbing, electrical, and structural repair quote is $20,000. We do not have the quote for the cottage water damage repair yet. We also have substantial business losses from closing three months early (after opening three months late) and $15,000 of food was spoiled during the two week evacuation with out power. We are still without phone lines. We are unable to take any reservations for 2021 yet as we do not know when we will be able to reopen.
Of course we have submitted an insurance claim but is has become clear that though we will get some reimbursement, much of the damages will not be covered. We are looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs that will have to be out of pocket. Thanks to the Covid-19 shutdown and then the fire, we were only able to be open for three months in 2020. Our finances are already stretched.
Travis and I bought the historic Steamboat Inn May 1, 2017. We moved to the Inn with our girls. Carmen is 6 and McKenzie is 12. Steamboat Inn is our business, our home, and our life. We mortgaged our property and risked all of our savings and possessions to make the purchase. My family is currently living at the Inn without water or septic. The timeline for the completion of repairs is spring of 2021. That is a long time to live like you are camping in your own home but we are trying to make the best of it. We are also trying to make sure our staff survives until we are able to reopen as they only were able to work for three months of 2020 and some lost their homes in the fire as well.
This fire is the fourth natural disaster we have faced in our three and a half years of ownership. We were very proud that we have been able to weather each storm on our own and come back stronger as a family, team, and business; but we are going to have to ask for help this time. Asking for help does not come easy for us but we need to put preserving Steamboat Inn for future generations ahead of our pride.
Thank you for any help you are able to provide and for your support of Steamboat Inn. We hope to be able to welcome you back soon and wish for a better 2021 for everyone.
The Woodward Family and the Steamboat Inn Staff
Organizer
Melinda Woodward
Organizer
Boundary Road, OR
