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