From: “Johnston, Trish (PC)”
Date: January 30, 2020 at 2:18:57 PM CST
Subject: Visitor Centre Renewal project in Riding Mountain National Park
We are excited to share the news that construction on the Visitor Centre in Riding Mountain National Park will begin within the next couple of weeks!
Parks Canada is investing an unprecedented $3 billion dollars over 5 years to support infrastructure work to heritage, visitor, waterway and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada. These investments represent the largest federal infrastructure plan in the history of Parks Canada.
Investments in visitor infrastructure, such as the Visitor Centre, will ensure the quality and reliability of visitor facilities and continue to allow Canadians to connect with nature.
When will construction begin and when will the project be completed?
Construction is scheduled to begin in early February, 2020. The site will be most heavily impacted throughout the winter of 2020. As this work is weather dependant, there is a possibility that construction could extend to the spring of 2020. An alternative space will be used to provide visitor services and programming.
Will the construction affect visitor experience?
There will be minimal impact to visitor experience during the construction. The grounds around the Visitor Centre will be fenced off to ensure visitor safety and there will be noise associated with construction during daylight hours. A staging area for the construction company will be set up on the south side of the Visitor Centre and there will be vehicle traffic coming and going from that area and the large parking lot. The skating rink and paths behind the Visitor Centre will continue to be maintained and accessible throughout the winter.
What are the key objectives of the project?
• Renew interpretive exhibits with the following themes:
Riding Mountain is Home –
to the Anishinabe (Anishinabe Homeland),
to forest and parkland ecosystems (Wilderness Home),
to park residents (Home Away From Home),
to generations of visitors (Historic Home), and
Parks Canada protects and manages the ecosystems in the park to maintain and restore ecological integrity (Good Housekeeping).
All are welcome here.
• Renew the visitor service reception area to allow for better customer service and better visitor flow.
• Improve accessibility to the building and the grounds.
• Installing four new inclusive washroom facilities.
• Accommodate for a Parks Canada merchandise store.
• Update audio visual equipment.
• Improve the building to easily host events.
• Repair and upgrade roof with insulation.
• Installing geothermal heating and cooling.
How will Parks Canada be sharing information?
We will be sending an Info Bulletin to the media next week as well as posting regular updates on social media and our website. Follow us on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RidingNP/ and on our website at: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/mb/riding/info/infra-prog
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
Trish Johnston
Public Relations & Communications Officer | Agente, Relations publiques et communications
Riding Mountain National Park | Parc national du Mont-Riding
Parks Canada | Parcs Canada
135 Wasagaming Drive, Box 299, Onanole MB R0J 1N0 | 135 promenade Wasagaming, C.P. 299, Onanole MB R0J 1N0
trish.johnston@canada.ca
Telephone | Téléphone (204) 848-7248 Cell | Cellulaire (204) 621-6423
www.parkscanada.gc.ca | www.parcscanada.gc.ca
Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada
Parks Canada – 450 000 km2 of memories / Parcs Canada – 450 000 km2 de souvenirs
Construction on the Visitor Centre renewal project is underway! 
