Deertrail Resort Chimney - Sooke, British Columbia, Canada
Posted by: 
The A-Team
N 48° 26.226 W 123° 43.002
10U E 446990 N 5365132
This chimney is the most visible remnant of the uncompleted Deertrail Resort beside the Sooke River in Sooke, British Columbia, Canada.
Waymark Code: WMKJ3H
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Date Posted: 04/19/2014
Views: 9
In 1981, Albert Yuen and his wife purchased a 160-acre parcel high on the side of the canyon carved out by the Sooke River. Even though there was an economic downturn, Yuen obtained a government grant for development and began the construction of a world-class resort. It would be built from natural stone and massive old-growth Douglas fir timbers and be perched high on a cliff above the roaring Sooke River. With its spectacular views and rugged location, this would have been a truly stunning location to stay. The barbecue pit, with its massive chimney made from rock blasted from the terrain, was reputed to be large enough to roast an ox and to be the largest barbecue pit in the world - if it had been completed and used. The development drew attention from architects and investors from around the world, but the Yuens never seemed to acquire enough money to complete the construction. Development continued sporadically for many years, but finally stalled in the late 1990s with the foundation and part of the timber structure complete.
After several mortgage payments were missed, the property was sold to The Land Conservancy of BC (TLC) in 2004 to protect the untouched portions of the property. In the spring and summer of 2005, the partially-completed timber portions of the building were dismantled, but the concrete and stone portions were left in place. Most of the remains are now surrounded by a fence, but much of the foundations and the massive chimney are still visible from outside the fence.
Based on measurements from satellite images and extrapolating from photos, the square base measures 25 feet wide, while the chimney is 12 feet wide and stands 50 feet tall.
Is your description history or fantasy: History
Public or Private Propery: Private
Rate this waymark: Not listed
Additional waypoints to this waymark: Not Listed
Website for this waymark: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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