PrairiesCan approves over $500,000 in Moose Jaw funding — including new trolley

Prairies Economic Development Canada has approved more than $500,000 for projects from three Moose Jaw organizations.

Tourism Moose Jaw’s new trolley

Tourism Moose Jaw received $295,000 to modernize the Moose Jaw Trolley tour. The new trolley will have many advantages such as being more accessible for people with disabilities, being more environmentally friendly, and having heating and cooling, which should extend its useful season.

“Having the accessibility, to me, is the biggest change,” said Jacki L’Heureux-Mason, Executive director of Tourism Moose Jaw. “To be able to offer people who are having mobility issues a safe space for their wheelchair. Even just with people who struggle to get on the trolley, we have that ability to bring them on in a safer manner, lower to the ground.”

L’Heureux-Mason said that being able to extend their season would also be a real plus for Tourism Moose Jaw. The current trolley must shut down when summer temperatures climb above 33 Celsius, and cannot operate at all in the winter cold.

Trolley manufacturers are not easy to find. Moose Jaw’s new trolley is being built by a specialty company in Henderson, Nevada.

“You might not be surprised to know that you can’t just find trolleys on any corner,” L’Heureux-Mason said. With the state of the world being what it is, the delivery has been delayed.

“We were hoping to get it at the end of May, but it has been delayed to the end of June,” she explained. “And then we’ll have to wrap it and everything, so we’re hoping it’ll be ready to rock and roll in July.”

The old trolley will continue to operate until Tourism Moose Jaw can no longer afford it.

Tunnels of Moose Jaw

The Tunnels of Moose Jaw were given $99,999 to help complete their newest tour.

“As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tunnels of Moose Jaw applied for the PrairiesCan Tourism Relief Fund Grant,” said Bobby Hill, general manager of the Tunnels. “With the support of this grant, we were able to complete our newest 12,000 square-foot renovation to the Tunnels of Moose Jaw. Bunker 24 provides our guests with a behind-the-scenes look into Canada’s involvement in the early days of the Cold War.”

The City of Moose Jaw

The City was given $109,350 for work in Crescent Park. Over 700 metres of pathway will be paved and restored.

“It is a pleasure to be a part of this exciting announcement,” said Mayor Clive Tolley. “The Trolley Tour, the Tunnels of Moose Jaw, and beautiful Crescent Park are all pillars of Moose Jaw’s tourism industry. Paving and restoring the pathways in Crescent Park, the purchase of the new trolley, and the addition of Bunker 24 to the Tunnels of Moose Jaw will provide a significant investment in Canada’s Most Notorious City — Moose Jaw! We are incredibly grateful for this strong support for our tourism industry.”

Daniel Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan, said that “Our government is making important investments in community attractions for the City of Moose Jaw through the Tourism Relief Fund and the Canada Community Revitalization Fund. Our government is working together with communities to support tourism recovery and the revitalization of important recreational spaces so that visitors and residents of Moose Jaw can enjoy them for years to come.”