Released on August 28, 2014
This summer, the Government of Saskatchewan will invest nearly a quarter of a million dollars for a new access road into the Jubilee Boat Launch as well as earthwork construction for an additional trailer sewage disposal station at Pickerel Point Campground in Duck Mountain Provincial Park.“Year after year, Saskatchewan’s provincial parks are seeing record levels of visitation,” Deputy Premier and Canora-Pelly MLA Ken Krawetz said on behalf of Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Mark Docherty. “In order to keep up with the ever-growing patronage of our parks, we are investing in additional amenities, like access roads and disposal stations, to meet the needs of park visitors.”
The Jubilee Boat Launch is one of two main boat launches within Duck Mountain Provincial Park. Currently, the only access road to this boat launch runs through the Jubilee cottage subdivision. This contract will provide alternate access to the boat launch off Highway 57, reducing congestion and improving traffic safety for park users and cottagers.
There is also only one trailer sewage disposal station at Duck Mountain Provincial Park. This contract covers the earthwork construction in preparation for an additional trailer sewage disposal station. The new station will help alleviate congestion and provide a more pleasant experience for park visitors with trailers.
Saskcon Repair Services Ltd. of Saskatoon will begin working on the new access roads in early September of this year. The roads are scheduled to be ready for use beginning in spring 2015.
Additional project work not covered under this contract will be carried out by ministry staff and will bring the total project cost to approximately $300,000. Improvements will include the installation of pre-cast slabs and docks at the Jubilee Boat Launch as well as installation of a holding tank and related site works for the new disposal station. These improvements are slated to be completed by summer of 2015.
In 2013, the provincial park system set a record 3.7 million visits with Duck Mountain Provincial Park receiving 222,999 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.
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For more information, contact:
Karen Webb
Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-7828
Email: karen.webb@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-529-4087