Provincial, federal governments pump more than $9M into upgrades, new facility at FortWhyte Alive
Manitoba is also investing $4M in environmental, educational facility's endowment fund
FortWhyte Alive is getting an multimillion-dollar revamp that will modernize its interpretive centre and see a new facility constructed to serve the growing outdoor and aquatic programs.
"For three decades, FortWhyte Alive has been a leader in nature education and advancing conservation, helping generations of Manitobans and visitors understand the value of a healthy natural environment," Premier Brian Pallister said in a Thursday news release announcing the funding.
"Programs that deliver environmental education are important for the future of our province and planet."
The roughly 270-hectare environmental and recreation centre on Winnipeg's McCreary Road, built on a reclaimed clay mine and cement factory, opened in 1983.
It now consists of more than nine kilometres of trails through prairie, lakes, forest and wetlands, with songbirds, deer and waterfowl.
The site features a treehouse, floating boardwalks, interpretive exhibits, a bison prairie, a café, a toboggan slide, a farm and beekeeping, school and public programs, and an interpretive centre with Manitoba's largest indoor aquarium and exhibits relating to the environment and sustainable development.
The province is contributing $4.5 million to the FortWhyte Forever capital campaign, and the federal government is adding another $4.7 million. The money will go toward an energy retrofit of the interpretive centre and new exhibits.
As well, a new Buffalo Crossing multi-purpose public facility will be constructed on the shore of Muir Lake, and feature educational and recreational elements including adventure and nature play areas.
Work is already underway on the interpretive centre, while work on the new Buffalo Crossing facility is anticipated to begin in early 2021, with project completion being targeted for 2022.
Endowment funding for future
"Now more than ever, we see how important time spent in nature is as it restores us, builds resilience and gives us a sense of hope," Liz Wilson, president and CEO of FortWhyte Alive, said in the Thursday news release.
The funding will provide stability to FortWhyte Alive and ensure that hands-on environmental education, grounded in climate change science, will be accessible for generations of Manitobans, she added.
The provincial government has also provided a $4-million contribution to the FortWhyte Forever endowment fund, held by the Winnipeg Foundation.
That will generate revenue of approximately $200,000 per year to replace long-standing annual program support previously provided by several provincial government grants, Pallister said.