Released on July 15, 2016
The Minster of Parks, Culture and Sport officially opened two recently-completed capital projects at Moose Mountain Provincial Park today: the beach service centre and the all-terrain vehicle (ATV) trails.
鈥淲e want to ensure our visitors have a memorable and enjoyable experience in the park,鈥� Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Mark Docherty said. 聽鈥淲ith record visitation last year, we are pleased these upgrades will enhance the amenities available to visitors in the park.鈥�
The Government of Saskatchewan invested more than $700,000 in the new beach service centre. 聽The recently completed beach service centre offers showers and accessible washroom facilities for beach users. 聽It also features a small interpretive programming space so that staff are easily able to facilitate the many popular programs available at the park.
For the ATV trails, the Government of Saskatchewan contributed $125,000, which was matched by the National Trails Coalition, for a total investment of $250,000. 聽Parks officials worked closely with the Saskatchewan All-Terrain Vehicle Association (SATVA) to enhance the trails at Moose Mountain Provincial Park.
The ATV trails are located in the back country of Moose Mountain, and they make use of some of the snowmobile trails. 聽ATVs are only permitted on designated trails, so all ATV riders must trailer their unit to the trailhead and unload it there. 聽Anyone who plans to make use of the ATV trails at Moose Mountain needs to stop by the park office before heading to the trails. 聽At the park office, riders can pick up their no-charge permit and information package, which includes a map of the trails and details on rider responsibilities.
Provincial parks are delicate ecosystems, and off-trail riding is strictly prohibited. 聽The ATV trail riding season is from June 15 to the Labour Day long weekend each year, however, based on weather and trail conditions, the trails may be occasionally closed in that time period.
Earlier this summer, the government announced a project to upgrade the main sewage lift station at Moose Mountain Provincial Park. 聽This project, which will begin later this fall, will see significant upgrades to the lift station鈥檚 pumping, ventilation, electrical and mechanical systems.
In 2015, government met its commitment of investing an additional $10 million over four years into the provincial park system, for a total investment of $53 million in capital projects and maintenance over that four year time frame. 聽Projects undertaken during this commitment include the development of two new campgrounds, upgrading or replacement of service centres, extensive campsite electrical expansion and upgrading, water and wastewater system upgrades, new and enhanced boat launches, and new campsite furnishings.
Total funding for the provincial parks system since 2007 is more than $200 million. 聽This funding includes capital expenditures and investment, operational funding, and parks programming. 聽New programs are being offered in provincial parks such as the Learn to Camp program, Learn to Fish program, and the Cultural Access Pass, which provides newcomers free entry to day-use areas within parks.
