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Local provincial parks listed for closure, new management

20.10.03Provincialparks
The overnight area at Kehiwin Provincial Recreation Area is among the sites slated to be closed down. Photo by Robynne Henry.

BONNYVILLE – The future of a number of local campgrounds is uncertain, after the provincial government announced they'll be offloading 164 sites from their Alberta Parks system.

Kehiwin Provincial Recreation Area, Muriel Lake Provincial Recreation Area, and Wolf Lake and Wolf Lake West Provincial Recreation Areas were included in the Feb. 29 announcement.

Kehiwin is slated for full closure this summer. The remaining sites, which were described by the province as small and under-utilized, could be sold or transferred to groups for future management.

First Nations, municipalities, and non-profits are among the organizations that have the option to take over responsibility for the parks.

“I think it’s a good opportunity for municipalities like ours to ensure that these campgrounds remain available for our citizens,” noted MD of Bonnyville Reeve Greg Sawchuk.

According to Sawchuk, the MD currently leases portions of the Wolf Lake and Muriel Lake parks from the province to operate as MD parks, and he's interested in what this new opportunity means for the municipality.

“We’re sending off a letter to get a little bit of clarity on what they would like and we said we would be open to other parks as well. In the letter, we’ll also be stressing the MD is currently in the business of recreation and campgrounds and we’re investing in that. If they would consider us as a possibility of taking over some of those campgrounds, we would like to start that conversation.”

He added, “We’re leaving it open if they have any other (locations) in mind as well, because there are other provincial grounds around here and we don’t know if they’re willing to digress from some of those. If they are, then we’d like to have that conversation.”

Cold Lake Provincial Park is one of 310 sites being retained by Alberta Parks.

However, Cold Lake Mayor Craig Copeland believes the province’s decision, which he described as a step away from recreation, could have a negative impact on tourism in Alberta overall.

“The return to the economy, unfortunately, isn’t being discussed in the closure of these parks. That’s a bit frustrating, and I think what the province is hoping is that municipalities, societies, private businesses, or somebody will take on these parks and upgrade them,” Copeland explained, adding it could be successful if they have the freedom to change the facilities.

“There might be people interested in taking over these campsites if there’s going to be the ability to think outside of the box and have the ability to build cabins for recreation and things like that. If the government is willing to allow that kind of creativity at some of the sites, it might be a winner.”

Who owns and operates some of the provincial parks aren’t the only changes happening this summer. The base camping rate at most campgrounds throughout the province will rise by $3, and the cost of water, power, sewers, and showers will go up by $1 where they’re available.

“Albertans have expressed an interest in taking a more active role in the operation of some areas traditionally run by the province,” said Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Parks Jason Nixon in a press release. “In order to facilitate this, and to renew our commitment to our ‘crown jewel’ destinations, we will be offering Albertans, non-profits and First Nations the opportunity to work with our government and with parks societies on exploring these important partnerships."

Robynne Henry, Bonnyville Nouvelle

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