Temple Gardens

People have been enjoying the rejuvenating, soothing and mineral-rich geothermal waters, drawn from ancient sea beds 1,350 metres below the surface, at Temple Gardens Mineral Spa in downtown Moose Jaw since 1993.

The mineral-rich water was discovered accidentally in 1910 by a crew drilling for oil. The water, heated from a much deeper molten mass within the earth’s core, travels under its own pressure to the spa from the well located about 400 metres away. The mineral water is similar to the waters from the Upper Hot Springs in Banff, Alberta, the Radium Hot Springs in British Columbia and the famous mineral pools in Bath, England.

About 1,000 local investors bought shares to finance construction of the hotel that features indoor and outdoor pools open year-round. The pools contain 100,000 gallons of mineral water and are linked by a channel through which guests can swim even during the coldest winter months because the water temperature is constant at 40°C (104°F).

Business has been brisk since the day the spa, located in the heart of downtown Moose Jaw, opened. Annual reviews are approaching $11 million for the facility that provides 220 full time jobs.

Joe Ralko