05-12-2004, 04:12 AM
Provincial Parks To Receive $21 Million For Upgrades
EDMONTON - The Alberta government will invest $21 million over three years for upgrading provincial parks' water and sewage infrastructure as well as addressing some other potential safety hazards. With this investment of new funding, the government will make necessary repairs and improvements to drinking water and sewer systems at several provincial parks where needs exist. These upgrades will restore these parks to meet public expectations, and will also address health and safety hazards such as repairs to boat and marina docks, boardwalks, and toilet buildings.
"I was pleased to hear our Premier talk about the importance of our provincial parks and protected areas, during his televised address last night, and the investment of $21 million over three years for upgrading these facilities," said Gene Zwozdesky, Minister of Community Development with responsibility for provincial parks and protected areas. "This will help us to enhance and preserve our parks for Alberta's second century."
Parks staff are currently identifying priorities and developing a plan for implementation based on where the repairs and upgrades are most necessary. More details will be available after the budget is announced in the spring.
This is part of the government's comprehensive strategy for addressing water management as outlined in Alberta's Water for Life strategy. Albertans identified three goals for the water strategy:
* a safe, secure drinking water supply,
* healthy aquatic ecosystems, and
* reliable, quality water supplies for a sustainable economy.
The first goal is particularly important to provincial parks given the number of water systems and water wells in the parks and protected areas network. Parks and protected areas play an important role in preserving and enhancing the wetlands and aquatic ecosystems, which was another goal identified by Albertans in the water strategy.
The Alberta Government is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to safe, quality recreation opportunities and facilities in our provincial parks and protected areas. There is at least one protected area within 100 kilometres of every household in Alberta, providing opportunities for heritage appreciation, tourism and outdoor recreation for over eight million visitors a year. For general information about Alberta's provincial parks and recreation areas, call (780) 427-3582 or toll-free 1-866-427-3582, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday or visit www.cd.gov.ab.ca/parks.
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For further information:
Gene Zwozdesky, Minister
Community Development
Phone: (780) 427-4928
Cell: (780) 446-1144
Cheryl Robb
Communications
Community Development
Phone: (780) 427-6530
[signature]
EDMONTON - The Alberta government will invest $21 million over three years for upgrading provincial parks' water and sewage infrastructure as well as addressing some other potential safety hazards. With this investment of new funding, the government will make necessary repairs and improvements to drinking water and sewer systems at several provincial parks where needs exist. These upgrades will restore these parks to meet public expectations, and will also address health and safety hazards such as repairs to boat and marina docks, boardwalks, and toilet buildings.
"I was pleased to hear our Premier talk about the importance of our provincial parks and protected areas, during his televised address last night, and the investment of $21 million over three years for upgrading these facilities," said Gene Zwozdesky, Minister of Community Development with responsibility for provincial parks and protected areas. "This will help us to enhance and preserve our parks for Alberta's second century."
Parks staff are currently identifying priorities and developing a plan for implementation based on where the repairs and upgrades are most necessary. More details will be available after the budget is announced in the spring.
This is part of the government's comprehensive strategy for addressing water management as outlined in Alberta's Water for Life strategy. Albertans identified three goals for the water strategy:
* a safe, secure drinking water supply,
* healthy aquatic ecosystems, and
* reliable, quality water supplies for a sustainable economy.
The first goal is particularly important to provincial parks given the number of water systems and water wells in the parks and protected areas network. Parks and protected areas play an important role in preserving and enhancing the wetlands and aquatic ecosystems, which was another goal identified by Albertans in the water strategy.
The Alberta Government is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to safe, quality recreation opportunities and facilities in our provincial parks and protected areas. There is at least one protected area within 100 kilometres of every household in Alberta, providing opportunities for heritage appreciation, tourism and outdoor recreation for over eight million visitors a year. For general information about Alberta's provincial parks and recreation areas, call (780) 427-3582 or toll-free 1-866-427-3582, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday or visit www.cd.gov.ab.ca/parks.
-30-
For further information:
Gene Zwozdesky, Minister
Community Development
Phone: (780) 427-4928
Cell: (780) 446-1144
Cheryl Robb
Communications
Community Development
Phone: (780) 427-6530
[signature]