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By Claude-Jean Harel
The Great Canadian Barn Dance & Family RV Resort is a family owned and run southern Alberta destination. The Kunkel’s have created an “anti country club” in a way – a no nonsense, down home establishment in the middle of nowhere that has grown into one of the finest family experiences in Canada. First inspired by his father, Lloyd, who started the place during the eighties, Trevor Kunkel who, with his family, is gradually taking the reins of a business whose success is spreading like prairie fire.
“We have always entertained,” he admits, as if that’s what he was born to do. “Dad started at an early age. My brother and I joined his band and we played in the Calgary area for a while before going out on our own. Dad was about to retire in 1985 when he suggested doing barn dances – something he used to do as a kid on the prairies.”
His father’s eyes lit up, recalls Trevor. “My Dad and Fred Brooks – who owned it at the time, drove up to the barn after a chance meeting. There were still cows and horses in it.” The Kunkel family saw the potential right away: “200 people could fit in there. This gentleman had fixed up the floor, and his kids were playing basketball and roller skating upstairs before we took it over. We rented the barn, cleaned it up a little and got going with the dances. In 1991 we bought the barn and about 30 acres.” Pretty soon people were phoning and showing up with RV rigs, asking if they could park in the field overnight instead of driving back to the campground. This prompted the Kunkels to add a 10 site campground. “Now we are up to 90 sites. There is a little lake here where we go canoeing and fishing.
“After a time, the landowner started to think things were getting a little too busy around here, so he gave us his blessing to buy the rest of the property and 60 acres of land,” continues Trevor. “We put cement down on the main floor where the stalls used to be. We divided it all up and put heating in, added a kitchen and a gift shop, and developed a nice little group area outside of the barn with two-seater swing chairs and benches overlooking the lake. We started a bed and breakfast operation and built cottages as well.”
The Kunkels keep busy with functions from May through October, with musical festivals in the summer and specialty dances in the fall. There were Cowboy Christmas celebrations, too. “We’ve been living here since 1998, so it became easier doing this full time and adding dinner shows,” confides Trevor. “Now my wife and my sons sing and play in the dinner show. It has gone crazy.”
When asked what it is about the quality of the experience presented by the Kunkel family that makes them stand out, the discussion quickly turns to the decision Lloyd made when he launched the operation not to serve alcohol. “Dad just wanted a place where the whole family could participate together.” His motivation may have been religious initially, explains Trevor, but what could have been a kiss of death for a dance hall has turned into a blessing. Indeed, remaining true to oneself plays a big role at this operation. Looking after customers with authenticity, while being innovative at the same time, are not mutually exclusive.
It was a gamble for the Kunkels; any operation needs a critical mass of guests to be viable, and Hill Spring is not exactly the centre of the universe. But the property’s appeal is undeniable: “It is just amazing. We are in the middle of nowhere, but we are – in some ways – in the middle of everything with two world heritage sites nearby as well as the Remington Carriage Museum and many tourist attractions. We bring everybody from all walks of life under one roof, feed them a great meal and then play some great dancing music. Everyone gets to enjoy each other’s company, and the whole experience seems to relax and sets peoples minds at ease. We see the transformation and Dad’s dream comes to life. As a family of musicians, we are truly blessed and couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. Come and try us out, you won’t be disappointed.”