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VICTORIA
– The B.C. government is investing
$13.3 million this year to upgrade BC Parks infrastructure and to acquire
additional park land to improve the camping and day-use experience for park
visitors, Environment Minister Barry Penner announced today.
“These improvements will help
BC Parks provide first-class outdoor recreation opportunities,” Penner said.
“We made a commitment to upgrade our parks and we're following through on that
commitment to make our parks system even better.”
In 2005, the Province made a
commitment to invest $20 million for park capital improvements over three
years, including $12.2 million in the 2005/06 budget. With this investment in
the 2006/07 budget, that commitment is being fulfilled a year early, with
additional investments still to come. Key infrastructure upgrades include:
* $2.7 million at Cultus Lake
Provincial Park for water system and sewer reconstruction, and for replacement
of picnic tables;
* $730,000 at Miracle Beach
for drinking water and sewer replacement and upgrades;
* $655,000 at Golden Ears
Provincial Park for campground reconstruction and alpine sanitary facility
upgrades;
* $585,000 at Inland Lake
Provincial Park to reconstruct eight kilometres of wheelchair accessible trail
and numerous boardwalks and bridges;
* $335,000 at Lakelse Lake
Provincial Park Picnic site to replace the sanitary facilities, replace the
pumphouse and upgrade facilities;
* $250,000 at Naikoon
Provincial Park to reclaim 15-20 beach side campsites that are in danger of
being lost to erosion, replace Agate Beach Haida style picnic shelter and
perform road upgrading;
* $358,000 at Meziadin Lake
Provincial Park for access road improvements;
* $351,000 at Khutzeymateen
Provincial Park for replacement of barge and trailers used as living quarters
(and as a visitor centre by park rangers) and to undertake surface water system
improvements; and
* $438,000 at Tyhee Lake
Provincial Park to replace the drinking water system and upgrade facilities.
“With more than $25 million
for park upgrades since last year, we are working to make sure our parks system
is the best in the world,” said Penner.
BC Parks is dedicated to the
protection of natural environments for the inspiration, use and enjoyment of
the public. British Columbia has more than 800 provincial parks, protected
areas, recreation areas and ecological reserves, making it the largest
provincial system in Canada.
To learn more about the BC
Park nearest you or to make a reservation for the upcoming camping season,
please visit the Ministry of Environment website at: www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks
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Communications Director 250 387-9973 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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