The Meewasin Valley Authority (MVA) is grappling with the most challenging provincial budget in the group’s 38 years, according to a summary of a board meeting held Friday.
The Saskatchewan government cut $409,000 in funding to the MVA, resulting in significant changes to program offerings in Saskatoon.
READ MORE: Meewasin Valley Authority funding cut by $409K in Saskatchewan budget
The MVA board approved staff reductions through attrition and hiring restrictions, while lowering the number of planned summer students from ten to seven.
River access points will close at Paradise Beach, the Fred Heal Canoe Launch, and the Poplar Bluffs Canoe Launch.
“Meewasin no longer has the capacity to maintain these sites that provide river access to the general public,” the report said.
The following program changes were also approved:
- No longer offering interpretive canoe tours on the South Saskatchewan River;
- Ending the annual Pelican Watch Contest at the weir; and
- Reducing the number of days the Beaver Creek Conservation Area will be open to the public
The province, City of Saskatoon and the University of Saskatchewan all provide funding to authority.
READ MORE: Meewasin Interpretative Centre closes its doors
Last month, the provincial government announced plans to change legislation, removing the requirement that the university continue to provide 30 per cent of the MVA’s funding.
Interpretation of the Northeast Swale and Saskatoon Natural Grasslands will continue.
With files from Global’s Dave Giles