Province to invest $1-M for St. Malo

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This article was published 02/06/2023 (717 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Manitoba government will invest $1 million in St. Malo Provincial Park over the next six years.

The announcement was made last week as part of a $224 million multi-year Manitoba Provincial Parks Infrastructure Renewal Strategy. Campers in the province will see a 50 percent increase in yurts, more campsites with electrical service, enhanced interactive experiences along with improved services, and access to nature in each of the 20 busiest provincial parks, according to the government.

The $1 million invested into St. Malo Provincial Park will see the money go towards a new washroom building at the main beach at total estimated cost of $650,000; and the development of family group camping sites in the existing group-use area, which includes electrification of these campsites with an estimated total cost of $350,000.

The Manitoba Provincial Parks Infrastructure Renewal Strategy focuses on two streams. The first invests $121 million in parks infrastructure, which will cover campground improvements, new trails and boardwalks, accessibility initiatives, parking lots, access roads, and trailheads. This will come to 245 individual projects over 10 years.

The majority of the money will be spent on wastewater, water, and waste management (23 percent); road improvements (10 percent); washroom and shower facilities (nine percent); yurts and comfort camping (nine percent); and camping improvements (nine percent).

“Manitobans care deeply about their provincial parks and have shared how important it is to increase investments in park infrastructure,” said Natural Resources and Northern Development Minister Greg Nesbitt. “Our bold plan prioritizes projects that enhance recreational opportunities and protect our precious ecosystems.”

Some specific outcomes will include 50 percent increase in capacity for yurts/comfort camping options (4,500 more night stays available annually); six percent of campsites with improved electrical service from 15/30 amp service to 15/30/50 amp service; and nine percent increase in new campsites with electrical service.

Whiteshell will get the highest investment with $10 million followed by Bird’s Hill Provincial park at $9.5 million.

Whiteshell Provincial Park will see the replacement of the Nutimik Museum, reconstruction of the West Hawk Lake seawall, Mantario Trail amenity upgrades, surface upgrades to the Trans-Canada Highway at the Manitoba-Ontario border, and structure rehabilitation on the Trans-Canada Highway at Provincial Road (PR) 301 Falcon Lake Access, PR 301 Overpass Falcon Lake Road, and Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 44 at West Hawk Lake.

Bird’s Hill will see its money going to Fox Bay campsite upgrades and Lakeview Trail upgrades.

The second stream of the strategy will consist of a $103 million roadway renewal plan within and around provincial parks over 10 years.

Spruce Woods Provincial Park will receive the lion’s share of the investment with $51.3 million followed by Whiteshell Provincial Park ($19.7 million) while Bird’s Hill Provincial Park will receive $800,000.

“Our government is committed to enhancing the overall experience for visitors to our provincial parks and campgrounds and this includes ensuring safe travel and welcome arrival,” said Transportation Minister Doyle Piwniuk. “Important investments in infrastructure such as roads and highways leading to and within our parks will help enhance the experience for visitors, now and into the future.”

Since the Provincial Parks Act was proclaimed in 1960, there have been 92 parks established in Manitoba offering 4,500 nightly campsites and 1,500 seasonal campsites. Today, the province has the largest cottaging community in provincial parks in Canada with nearly 6,200 dwellings, and the Manitoba government also works with 180 commercial operators to provide unique lodgings and other offerings to park users to complement provincial campsites and services.