Input being sought for Waterton centre

Parks Canada wants to hear the public’s opinion on three design options for a new visitor centre in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Beginning today, Canadians are invited to provide their input to help shape the look and function of the new facility.

Parks Canada wants to ensure the new centre meets the diverse and evolving needs of all visitors, now and into the future. The plan is based on the Waterton Community Plan and the Waterton Lakes National Park Management Plan.

Input will be accepted online at www.letstalkwatertonvisitorcentre.ca until May 12. The public is also invited to attend an open house in Waterton on April 29.

Parks Canada will review all feedback and consider it in the decision making process. They will report back on their findings and provide updates on the website until the final design is announced in September.

In July 2015, the Government of Canada announced $7.6 million in funding for the new visitor centre. Construction will begin in 2018, and the facility is expected to open in 2020.

The goal of the new visitor centre, and its location within the townsite, is to offer visitors a better level of service and enhanced visitor experiences through a full range of services and interpretive programming throughout the year.

The original facility was built in 1958, however, Parks Canada says its size and location can no longer support the needs or expectations of the more than 500,000 visitors

the park receives annually.

This is just one of several projects for Parks Canada, which is investing $3 billion over five years into its infrastructure across the country. Waterton Lakes National Park will receive approximately $100 million.