Pulse June 2020 | Page 54

successful spa renovation, yet so is planning for contingencies and building out a rigorous timeline. In fact, planning for possible modifications is precisely what enables future flexibility, according to Roodell: “A big part of our process is to take the time that’s needed to be thoughtful and answer some of those unknown questions prior to opening the walls.” The physical constraints—as well as some quirky easements on the land—did factor into decisions around what could or could not be expanded, explains Runge, but it only affected the degree of what was included, not whether it was included at all. Accounting for these constraints upfront meant that no key additions—the yoga studio, the grotto, the serenity room—were threatened by discoveries made after construction began, when the figurative clock was ticking. As a result of doing the legwork upfront, Roodell’s team and On Site Management encountered very few setbacks during construction; accordingly, the spa’s final form deviated very little from the final design itself. When partnering with an architect for your own renovation, be sure to find one that takes the time to be thorough during the planning phase. The most impressive part, though, is that Roodell’s team took this time despite strict time constraints on the project. Mountain Sky Guest Ranch is only open from May through October, and missing a full season’s worth of revenue due to renovation delays was a non-starter. The construction project had to be completed between November and March, then, despite Montana’s notoriously cold winters which make it difficult to build. “Everyone “Once your renovation is complete, maximize its potential with ideas like Mountain Sky’s—expand your programming. Market the renovation on social media or through digital advertising.” 42 PULSE ■ JUNE 2020