Two years and one dome later, Oculis Lodge founder is asking for another 1.2M

The Oculis Lodge project, envisioned by developer Youri Benoiston, aimed to establish a luxurious vacation rental complex consisting of 35 domes in the Glacier wilderness, fueled by $1. 2 million in crowdfunding. However, two years after its launch, only a single dome has been constructed, prompting discontent among backers who expected more. Many donors have voiced their frustrations on Indiegogo, demanding refunds and sharing troubling stories about their experiences at the site, which included safety concerns due to aggressive dogs and a lack of privacy. Benoiston has pushed back against these claims, arguing that the project has not specified a completion date and that some criticism is unfounded.

Despite the setbacks, Benoiston announced plans for six additional domes, but the project's scope has reportedly shrunk from 35 to seven. County officials have indicated that the site is only approved for one residence, with further applications pending. This situation raises questions about the feasibility of ambitious crowdfunding projects and the responsibilities of developers towards their backers. As the frustration grows, the future of Oculis Lodge remains uncertain amid ongoing regulatory hurdles.