Upgrades coming to some provincial parks in southern Sask.

Some provincial parks in southern Saskatchewan are getting more than $10 million worth of facility and infrastructure improvements over the next year.

The provincial government already has announced improvements to washrooms, docks, day-use facilities and signage, and on Wednesday said upgrades scheduled for completion before the 2022 camping season include:

• New group pavilion developments in day-use areas of Echo Valley and Buffalo Pound provincial parks;
• A new visitor reception centre and campground service centre for Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park;
• A campground development at Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, providing 60 serviced campsites and a new campground service centre;
• Renovation of the former ski chalet at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park and repurposing to serve as a new park visitor centre;
• Renovation of a resource centre building at Echo Valley Provincial Park;
• Accessible paths and picnic sites in day-use areas at Buffalo Pound and Echo Valley provincial parks;
• A new playground structure and trail upgrades at Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park;
• Upgrade and expansion of the sewage lagoon at Rowan’s Ravine Provincial Park; and,
• Park road improvements at Douglas Provincial Park and other park locations in partnership with the Ministry of Highways.

Improvements that started in 2020-21 that have been completed include:

• New campground service centres at Saskatchewan Landing and Good Spirit Lake provincial parks;
• Electrical system upgrades and a new maintenance building at Good Spirit Lake Provincial Park;
• Shoreline stabilization and accessible picnic sites/paths at Rowan’s Ravine Provincial Park;
• Swimming pool building upgrades at Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park;
• Refurbishing of historic, stone cabins at Moose Mountain Provincial Park; and,
• Upgrade and expansion of the sewage lagoon at Duck Mountain Provincial Park.

The improvements planned for 2021-22 will increase the government’s total investment in provincial parks to nearly $160 million since 2007.