Campers in Saskatchewan's Regional Parks are enjoying about 500 brand new campsites, in addition to numerous other capital upgrades, thanks to the province's increase in funding.
For 2011-12, the Government of Saskatchewan has allocated $1,023,000 - the highest funding in recent history - to the Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association for core operations and their capital grants program which assists Regional Park Authorities with facility upgrades and expansion.
This brings the total government funding over four years to $3.15 million. That amount exceeds government's commitment in 2007 to provide $2.4 million to the Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association over four years. That's more than six times the $500,000 spent by the government in the previous four years.
"Saskatchewan's regional parks make a huge contribution to our province's tourism industry and quality of life," Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Bill Hutchinson said. "The provincial government's funding is another example of our commitment to enhance the park system, boost the visitor experience and strengthen our communities as Saskatchewan moves forward."
"The capital grant program provides very good value for the money invested and is matched by the regional parks themselves," Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association President John Froese said. "These funds help regional parks undertake improvements like new washroom facilities and campground revitalization and power upgrades, which many of them could not have done without this program."
The capital grants help to address urgent regulatory deficiencies, occupational health and safety issues, capital maintenance, core facility repair, replacement and expansion, equipment purchases, park planning, engineering and design studies.
