BONNYVILLE – Over the winter months, the Shaw House located on the edge of Moose Lake has been in somewhat of a hibernation. Meanwhile, indoors staff from the MD of Bonnyville’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Department have been busy reimagining and redesigning what the facility and Visitor Information Centre could operate as.
During a grand opening and community barbecue held over the lunch period on Thursday, the public had the opportunity to check out the municipality’s new Shaw House Visitor Information and Interpretive Centre.
Giving an opening address, Reeve Barry Kalinski noted that it was the vision of the MD’s Parks, Recreation and Culture staff that had imagined the vital role that the centre could play in driving local and regional tourism to the area.
That vision was on full display last week as many residents had their first look at new additions made to the facility, which officially opened on May 19.
The Shaw House, which was named after Scottish fur trader Angus Shaw who arrived in the region in the late 1700s, will now house the M.D. Trading Post, an interpretive centre, a tourist information centre, a summertime concession, a community boardroom and the offices for the municipality's Parks, Recreation and Culture Department.
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The M.D. Trading Post is a marketplace that sells local artisan goods, Kinosoo Ridge swag and other items for seasonal activities such as fishing hooks.
The interpretive centre, which is a key element of the municipal facility, will display informal educational materials specific to the cultures, peoples, wildlife and history of the area.
While a display featuring the region's flora and fauna is still under development, the interpretive centre will continue to evolve and introduce new displays relevant to the region.
The interpretive centre will be a wayfinding point to connect travellers and locals to exciting things that can be known about or visited in the region.
A community boardroom on the lower level of the Shaw House will also be available for public use. There is no cost to use the space, but the bookings must be arranged through the municipality.
The facility will also house the offices of the MD’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Department year-round.
Other local dignitaries including local MLA Scott Cyr and Town of Bonnyville Mayor Elisa Brosseau shared their congratulations to the MD council and administration for their efforts in creating a central hub that promotes the region.
Also, on full display was the new Vezeau Beach boat launch that opened earlier this year on May 11. The new boat launch is dual-lane, with each lane being 15 ft. wide and a boat docking system.
The Shaw House was funded and built by the Lakeland Sports and Recreations Association over 20 years ago and was previously operated and run by the Bonnyville and District Chamber of Commerce.
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