June 5, 2009
$5 Million in Improvements for Winnipeg Beach, Largest Parks Investment in Decades: Struthers, Bezan
– – –New Campground Expansion Includes Accessible Sites for People with Disabilities
Manitobans will have more options for better summer living with a new accessible campsites and $5-million in park improvements at Winnipeg Beach Provincial Park, Conservation Minister Stan Struthers and Selkirk-Interlake MP James Bezan announced today.
The major redevelopment at the south end of the park proposes the province’s first accessible campsites at a new family-oriented, 120-site serviced campground with children’s play areas, picnic sites and an expanded boardwalk.
“This government has focused on promoting healthy, active lifestyles and today’s announcement builds on improving the quality of lives for Manitoba families,” Struthers said. “This all-new facility will cater to families and will be designed and constructed to ensure high standards in energy and environmental efficiency.”
“Our government is getting shovels in the ground and flowing money faster to stimulate the economy and create jobs for Manitobans,” said Bezan. “This investment will help ensure that Manitoba’s communities continue to be successful and strong during these challenging economic times.”
“Our community welcomes this significant redevelopment of our park, which is sure to make Winnipeg Beach a favourite destination for campers,” Winnipeg Beach Mayor Don Pepe said. “The redevelopment promises to bring substantial economic benefits to the community of Winnipeg Beach and surrounding areas.”
The $5-million initiative, which is supported by the Town of Winnipeg Beach and stems from a 2007 public review of recreation options, will be cost-shared through the federal government’s Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. The province of Manitoba and the federal government will each contribute $2.5 million toward the redevelopment.
The draft concept plan for the Winnipeg Beach Provincial Park redevelopment will be available for public review at an open house scheduled for Saturday, June 27 from 11a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion, 20 Hamilton Ave. in Winnipeg Beach.
This capital investment, which is expected to create up to 150 jobs, is part of the infrastructure stimulus announced in the provincial government’s economic statement and throne speech. It is estimated that for every $1 million invested in renovations, 30 jobs are created and $1.5 million is added to the GDP.
As well, the province is launching a new incentive program, called Passport to Adventure. Visitors to provincial parks are encouraged to pick up their parks passport at campground offices and interpretive centres when visiting designated parks and get a stamp in their document. Prizes are available after people obtain five, 10, 15 or 20 stamps. The parks passport provides visitor information that includes activities, sites and areas of interest at each of the designated parks.
Struthers reminded visitors the province has eliminated entrance fees at provincial parks for the next two years to support recreational opportunities closer to home. The federal government has also announced a two-year fee freeze at Manitoba’s national parks and national historic sites
Over the past 10 years, significant improvements have been made to Manitoba’s parks including:
·providing 9-1-1 emergency services to some of Manitoba’s busiest parks such as Birds Hill, Clearwater, Grand Beach, Hecla/Grindstone and South Whiteshell;
·improving the province’s award-winning campground reservation system, increasing reservations by 50 per cent since the made-in-Manitoba service was introduced in 2005;
·adding and upgrading more than 600 campsites since 2004; and
·providing new outdoor opportunities, such as yurts at Asessippi, Bakers Narrows, Camp Morton, Clearwater, Nutimik, Spruce Woods and Stephenfield provincial parks.
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