(Nicole Reis/meadowlakeNOW Staff)
Provincial Parks

Millions invested this year into provincial park improvements

Aug 27, 2020 | 1:37 PM

The provincial government has made a total investment of $14.6 million to be made across Saskatchewan’s provincial parks system this year. More than $6.7 million is for facility and infrastructure improvements in central and northern provincial parks in 2020-21.

Trevor Finlay, manager of Meadow Lake Provincial Park said visitors can expect upgraded water systems and improved navigation of the Boreal Trail this season.

“We are putting a new water system at Flotten Lake, servicing the campground and cottage subdivision which will be open next spring,” Finlay told meadowlakeNOW. “We have converted the water system at Matheson Lake campground from solar energy to electric.”

All sites at Matheson Lake campground have been electrified to a more reliable source of energy to provide potable water to several sites in the park. Meadow Lake Provincial Park has made significant improvements to the Boreal Trail which runs across the park with additional staff, building a several bridges on the trail and upgraded signage for enhanced trail navigation.

Two new service centres have been built at Greig Lake and Kimball Lake. Service Centres are campground washroom and shower facilities with laundry services. The Murray Doell campgrand which was affected by last year’s tornado, has opened one loop and a second loop is slated to open next year.

There will be ongoing improvements to washrooms, docks, day-use facilities and signage. Upgrades scheduled for completion prior to the 2021 camping season in central and northern Saskatchewan provincial parks include campground service centre replacement at Pike Lake Provincial Park, boat launch upgrades at Great Blue Heron Provincial Park and Meadow Lake Provincial Park, road improvements and electrical upgrades at Candle Lake Provincial Park and a sewage lagoon upgrade and expansion at Duck Mountain Provincial Park.

Finlay added over the course of August, the campgrounds and interpretive trails have seen increased activity.

“I think it’s largely due to people feeling at ease to come out and hike without being in large groups,” he said.

Upgrades that began in 2019-20 and are now complete in central and northern Saskatchewan provincial parks include a new visitor reception centre at Candle Lake Provincial Park, a new play structure with accessible features at Great Blue Heron Provincial Park, water system upgrade at the Battlefords Provincial Park and sewage lagoon upgrade at Lac La Ronge Provincial Park.

“Each year, millions of dollars are invested into our park facilities and infrastructure to ensure visitors can enjoy access to modern and safe amenities while spending time in provincial parks,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Gene Makowsky said in a release.

From 2007-08 to 2019-20, capital investment and capital maintenance in parks reached a total value of more than $127 million.

nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722

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