Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Kevin Doherty officially opened a number of new capital projects in Duck Mountain Provincial Park including upgraded electric campsites, the Fen Trail and a new service centre for Birch Campground.
Doherty also announced a second round of electrical upgrades of campsites will begin soon. Birch Campground will receive expanded electrical service to 130 campsites in the second phase of the electrical expansion project.
Electrical service will be provided to 36 existing non-electric campsites and upgraded at 94 existing electrical sites. Government is also committed to providing an additional $10 million for capital improvements over the next four years for a total investment of nearly $54 million.
"Duck Mountain Provincial Park is one of Saskatchewan's original parks," Doherty said. "These upgrades will strengthen Duck Mountain and ensure it continues to provide an enjoyable camping experience for visitors today and in the future."
These upgrades are in addition to the improvements made in phase one of the project when electrical service was added to 73 non-electric sites and upgraded at 86 existing electric sites in Duck Mountain's Spruce and Poplar Campgrounds. Those sites opened this spring.
In total, 289 new and/or upgraded electrical campsites will be available in Duck Mountain once the second phase of the electrical expansion is complete.
Government is also pleased to announce the completion of Duck Mountain's Fen Trail. Not only is this boardwalk trail system accessible to those with disabilities, but it allows people to view the fen environment without harming it. Calcareous fens are rare wetlands that support a variety of plant life.
Birch Campground's new service centre is also complete. It is modern, energy-efficient and a welcome addition for visitors to the campground.
Over the last two years, government has invested more than $1.5 million in capital upgrades for Duck Mountain Provincial Park.
Government has invested $33 million over the last four years to improve Saskatchewan's provincial parks. In addition to expanded electrical service and trails systems, government has replaced or upgraded service centres, change houses, potable water systems, picnic tables and barbeques.
This year, government is providing more than $13 million to parks capital projects.
Government is committed to providing an additional $10 million for capital improvements over the next four years.
