Buffalo Pound Provincial Park is getting some new and exciting facilities for park-goers to enjoy. These new venues include a new visitor centre, new day-use pavilions, a new equipment shed for maintenance use, and changes to handicap accessibility around the park. The price of the projects mentioned will exceed $2 million dollars with the investment from the Saskatchewan government.
The new day-use pavilions and visitor centre have been under construction since late last summer and are expected to be completed by early July, with the hopes that they will be available for the public to use this summer.
The new visitor centre is going to be where the old Ski Chalet building is and will include a multi-purpose meeting area, space for an interpretive exhibit, as well as a small food and beverage service. The hope is that this will become a hub for hikers, bikers, and people looking for an adventure outdoors. The renovations are nearing completion, though once complete there will still be site work going on.
Additionally, it could take a couple of months for the interpretive exhibit to be up and running. An additional equipment shed was also mentioned, though it will be unavailable for the public as it will be just a maintenance shed.
There will be two, day-use pavilions in Buffalo Pound. One will be a larger pavilion while the other will be a smaller satellite pavilion next to the larger one. They are meant to accommodate large group gatherings, family get-togethers, weddings, or market gardens.
With the increase in day-use visitation around urban areas, the hope is that these facilities will provide a place to gather with your family and rest while adventuring the park. Three other parks are also getting new pavilions, and they are all nearing completion.
Accessibility is an extremely important thought to keep in mind when creating new facilities in parks. The Parks Division is planning to make sure the park has easy access for everyone visiting.
This work will start with pathway work in core areas, as well as new hard surface picnic benches, and access to the pavilion. It’s important to the staff and operators of Buffalo Pound that everyone can come and enjoy the park, without worrying about how accessible it will be.
"At our parks, we've really put an emphasis on improving access for park visitors with physical challenges. All of our major facilities we are providing very free access to. Part of this work is going to be some hard surface pathway work in the core area, along with the development of a couple of hard surface picnic sights and as well as access to the pavilion. I think that improving accessibility to facilities in and around the parks is an important priority, and it ensures that all our park visitors can enjoy the outdoors and get out to enjoy our parks," said Byron Davis, executive director of the Parks Division, when asked about handicap accessibility.
The government is continuing to invest in our parks, and visitation numbers have been hitting all-time highs, post COVID-19. The array of new and upgraded facilities coming to Buffalo Pound is sure to aid in your adventures in our Provincial Parks.
