Released on August 7, 2014
Late this summer, work will begin to upgrade the potable water system at Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park, as well as electrical expansion and electrical upgrading to campsites in three of the park’s campgrounds.Campsites in Riverside and Nighthawk Campgrounds will receive electrical service and Bearpaw Campground will have electrical services upgraded.
The Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport has partnered with Sask Landing Regional Water Pipeline Utility to secure a dependable and long-term potable water supply for Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park. In order to use the new regional water supply, the existing potable water storage and distribution systems within the park require significant upgrading. This system serves the core area of Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park, providing water to approximately 339 campsites and various park facilities.
“Providing safe drinking water for park users is a high priority for this government,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Mark Docherty said. “This project and the campsite electrical improvements will ensure the park remains a great vacation destination for visitors well into the future.”
Miner’s Construction Co. Ltd. from Saskatoon has been contracted to complete the potable water project. Upcoming work will include construction of a pump house treatment building over an existing concrete reservoir, installation of two above ground steel storage tanks, treatment of the water supply pipeline along with associated site works and related mechanical and electrical systems. The water system upgrades are scheduled to be completed in time for the 2015 summer camping season and the total project cost will be more than $1 million.
Also scheduled for improvements this year, 67 non-electric campsites in Riverside and Nighthawk Campgrounds will receive electrical service and 47 campsites in Bearpaw Campground will have their service upgraded.
Riverside Electric Ltd. of Swift Current will provide electrical expansion and upgrading of these campsites, as well as roadway lighting and related site development in the three campgrounds at Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park.
This electrical work is scheduled to begin in late August and will continue until late fall of this year.
Over the past seven years, government has provided approximately 1,400 campsites with new electrical service and approximately 900 existing electrical campsites have been upgraded to meet current code requirements and modern recreational vehicle standards.
In 2013, the provincial park system set a record 3.7 million visits. Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park recorded 198,486 of those visits.
The 2014-15 Budget has increased funding to provincial parks by 4.6 per cent this year. This includes capital and maintenance spending which will hit record levels with $14.9 million identified for upgrades and new construction projects. Total capital investments in provincial parks have increased 244 per cent in the past seven years, compared to the previous seven-year period.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Karen Ritchie
Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3506
Email: karen.ritchie@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-550-5927