JASPER NATIONAL PARK, AB, June 18, 2021 /CNW/ – Canada’s national parks are a refuge for both wildlife and people. Investing in these locations helps support the health of our natural heritage and creates jobs in our local communities, while providing visitors with high-quality and meaningful experiences across the country.
Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced the reopening of Whistlers Campground in Jasper National Park, as Parks Canada nears completion of the approximate $60 million federal infrastructure investment project. The significant redevelopment of the Agency’s largest campground will greatly improve the visitor experience ensuring Jasper National Park provides high-quality visitor services for decades to come.
With close to 800 campsites, visitors to Whistlers Campground will enjoy a new registration centre, 18 new combined washroom and shower facilities throughout the campground, improved campsites, and restored roads. The improvements to these services are in direct response to camper feedback. Underground services have been replaced to improve water, sewer and electrical systems, as well as upgrade many of the existing electrical campsites to 50 Amp service. With no significant upgrades made since it was built in the 1960s, the campground is now fully modernized to meet the needs of today’s campers.
While Parks Canada continues working on the finishing touches of the project, over half of the campsites will be ready for campers when the campground reopens on July 12, 2021, with the majority of sites ready the following week. Work will continue throughout 2021 and over the winter months to naturalise areas in the campground impacted by construction, including landscaping. The understanding and patience of visitors and the local community has been appreciated during the construction of Whistlers Campground, and now as Parks Canada works with new buildings and new systems upon its opening.
The Government of Canada is excited to showcase the renewed Whistlers Campground, which is a treasured place for many people across the country. This federal investment will ensure meaningful and high-quality experiences at the campground for people coming to Jasper National Park, while also contributing to growth in the tourism sector over the long-term. Parks Canada looks forward to hosting a grand official opening celebration with community members and visitors in spring 2022 when all work has been completed.