“Everything for us is about that wow factor. People want an amazing experience and that’s what we want to deliver.”
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Josh Turner and Jane Rusbridge have redefined glamping — short for ‘glamorous camping’ — in Saskatchewan. The duo collaborated with Metric Design associate Karen Palibroda on the uniquely-themed geodesic domes at Blackstrap Glamping Resort. Nestled on the shore of Blackstrap Lake, the resort opened for business in December 2023.
The team pulled out all the stops when designing the four glamping domes. Two additional domes are under construction and will open this summer.
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Turner is the busy entrepreneur behind the Saskamper apparel company, which produces Saskatchewan-themed clothing items. He also operates the Little Kahuna Beach Café and Tiki Bar at Blackstrap Provincial Park, so he’s very familiar with the park, located just 30 minutes from Saskatoon.
After experiencing different domes while travelling in Europe, Turner wanted to develop a glamping resort in Saskatchewan.
“I came back and submitted a proposal to the park,” says Turner. “Before this, there haven’t been any rental accommodations here.”
Since receiving the go-ahead from SaskParks three years ago, Turner and Rusbridge have been busy bringing their dream to reality.
The partners’ first goal was to ensure the domes could be habitable year-round in Saskatchewan. The Blackstrap domes can stand up to winter’s worst.
“The entire dome is covered with spray foam insulation, inside and underneath. A heavy duty tarp, weighing around 500 lbs., goes over top and is cinched down. Each dome only requires one small heating unit. Because they are so well insulated, having a proper vapour barrier is essential. We have a full HRV system in each dome to prevent condensation and a potential mould problem,” says Turner, who worked with Coda Construction on the project.
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“We did a lot of research, looking at domes from Nova Scotia to Montana. All of the domes look pretty much the same from the outside. It’s what you do inside that makes them special,” says Turner.
“Everything for us is about that wow factor. Tourism now is no longer just about providing accommodations. People want an amazing experience and that’s what we want to deliver. When we had the opportunity to work with Karen Palibroda, we thought, let’s make the most of this.”
Palibroda says, “Jane and I are friends and worked together at Blackstrap Youth Camp, so we share a passion for the park. That’s how I got involved. I loved the opportunity to do these really unique designs.”
“There’s no way we could have pulled these designs off on our own,” acknowledges Turner. “When you see each one, you can appreciate the work of a true design professional.”
The Manhattan evokes the sophistication and elegance of a New York loft, with modern finishings, designer lighting and chic accessories.
At the heart of each dome is a custom-built structure that integrates the main floor king-sized bed, an upper sleep loft with a double bed, a kitchenette, and a full bathroom with a shower, vanity and toilet. A captain’s ladder, custom-made in Edmonton, provides access to the upper sleep loft.
Palibroda chose a rich emerald green tone for the Manhattan’s core structure. “Every person who walks in says, ‘I love that colour!’” says Turner.
The kitchenette features contemporary cabinets with a sleek laminate countertop, matte black faucet and lighting fixtures, microwave oven, infrared cooktop and a full-sized stainless steel fridge.
The surprisingly luxurious bathroom is concealed by a black barn door with frosted glass panels.
The Beachcomber embraces upscale boho chic, with classic beach vibes. The bright, sunny space is enhanced by a gold and white colour palette, rattan furnishings and touches of greenery.
The kitchenette boasts white Shaker-style cabinets, a butcher block-style countertop, burnished gold fixtures, a faux marble backsplash and a mint green refrigerator. A brass and glass coffee cart adds to the bistro feel.
“Each bathroom is a little different. This one has lighter wood accents, a faux marble hexagon floor, a vanity with a vessel sink and a gorgeous tile backsplash,” says Palibroda.
The Jack has the charm of a rustic cabin with a twist of industrial chic. The interior features natural wood accents, a leather futon, a canoe bookshelf, an HBC bed throw and wildlife artwork. A traditional style faux stone electric fireplace is a focal point.
“In this dome we wanted to have a bit more of an industrial look, expressed through different kinds of woods, black hardware and more rustic finishes,” says Palibroda.
The kitchenette in this unit stands out with a vintage-style tile backsplash and wood grain Shaker cabinets.
Romance is in the air in the Winnie. “This dome says modern luxury. It’s really Instagram-worthy, with two feature walls of colourful fabric flowers. The colour palette of pink, black and white is complemented by lighter woods and faux marble. The splashes of gold really pop,” says Palibroda.
The kitchenette has light wood grain cabinets, with burnished gold hardware and a mint green refrigerator.
“There’s definitely more of a feminine feel in here, but I think it’s a space a lot of people can enjoy for a totally different experience,” says Palibroda.
To take a virtual tour of each glamping dome, or to book a stay, visit blackstrapglampingresort.ca.
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