Waterton Lakes National Park’s new visitor centre will be built on the Waterton Field, despite a great deal of controversy over the proposal from people living in the area.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna said in a statement Wednesday the selection of the Block 39 townsite was the “appropriate decision.”
Building on the Block 39 site would mean a popular playground and splash pad would have to be moved. Residents have also expressed concerns about parking, traffic congestion, environmental protection measures and public safety.
Waterton residents and stakeholders had an opportunity to voice their concerns about the proposed location at the end of August, when Parliamentary Secretary Jonathan Wilkinson visited the area.
Representatives from the group Save the Waterton Field made a pitch at the time to reverse Parks Canada’s plan and have the visitor centre built elsewhere. They said they weren’t opposed to the new centre, just the location.
Watch from Aug. 31: Ottawa has taken notice of public opposition to the location for a new visitor centre at Waterton Lakes National Park. Katelyn Wilson reports.
“After hearing from community groups at these meetings and after the parliamentary secretary and I subsequently considered the views of stakeholders and reviewed how Parks Canada came to its decision, I have concluded that the selection by Parks Canada of the Block 39 townsite location was the appropriate decision,” McKenna said in Wednesday’s release.
Bonnie Fromm, with Save the Waterton Field, called the decision “extremely disappointing” in a statement sent on behalf of the advocacy group.
“This is an unpopular decision among visitors, leaseholders and business owners and Parks Canada has failed Canadians on many levels.”
Fromm went on to encourage members of the public to continue speaking out if they are opposed to the project.
“We are still looking at all of our options to prevent this monstrosity from being built in the heart of Waterton.”
Watch from April 2016: A local resident at Waterton Lakes National Park has started a petition to try and put a stop to the building of a new Visitor Reception Centre. But according to park officials, she may be too late.
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