PrairiesCan funding enables FortWhyte Alive to provide
enhanced outdoor experiences to attract tourists and support
Indigenous economic reconciliation
WINNIPEG, MB, Sept. 13,
2024 /CNW/ - Winnipeg's FortWhyte Alive provides an urban
green space, bringing people together to promote awareness and
understanding of the natural world and sustainable living.
Ben Carr, Member of Parliament
for Winnipeg South Centre, on behalf the Honourable Dan Vandal,
Minister for PrairiesCan, announced a federal investment of
$158,900 through PrairiesCan's
Tourism Relief Fund. The funding supports enhancements to the
outdoor visitor infrastructure and new Indigenous-led programming
and experiences at FortWhyte.
The funding is being used to repair the "Loly Lookout" outdoor
shelter; build an outdoor shelter adjacent to the main Interpretive
Centre; reconstruct a treehouse overlooking the Bison paddock; hire
an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper to guide activities and programming;
creating a Healing Forest; and commission an Indigenous artist to
create and license a Star Blanket design for the Buffalo Crossing
Visitor Centre.
Quotes
"FortWhyte Alive is a unique gem in Winnipeg. It is a living example of
sustainable development and a significant tourist attraction. Our
government is pleased to have made this investment to enhance
programming, generate revenue, and amplify Indigenous voices."
–The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan
"FortWhyte Alive is a special place just moments away from the
hustle and bustle of the city. You can soak in the wonders of
nature, learn about the environment, experience wildlife and be a
tourist all at the same time. Our government is pleased to support
their work."
–Ben Carr, Member of
Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre
"Each year, FortWhyte Alive welcomes thousands of people here to
spend time learning and connecting with the land. Here in nature,
students can tie their classroom lessons to the world they live in,
and visitors discover the wonder of time outdoors. Now, thanks to
the generous support of PrairiesCan, we have been able to restore
our much-beloved treehouse so visitors can safely view our bison
herd from above, as well as repaired and expanded outdoor spaces
for people to connect with family, learn together, and shelter from
the elements in both our restored shelter and in our new outdoor
classroom."
–Liz Wilson, President and CEO, FortWhyte Alive
Quick facts
- The Tourism Relief Fund supported tourism businesses and
organizations while investing in products and services to
facilitate their future growth. With a budget of $500 million over 2 years (ending March 31, 2023), including $485 million in regional priorities funding
administered by Canada's regional
development agencies.
- Projects supported by the fund empowered tourism businesses to
create new or enhance existing tourism experiences and products to
attract more local, domestic, and international visitors.
- FortWhyte Alive is dedicated to providing programming, natural
settings, and facilities for environmental education, outdoor
recreation, and social enterprise. In so doing, Fort Whyte promotes
awareness and understanding of the natural world and actions
leading to sustainable living.
Associated links
- Prairies Economic Development Canada
- Tourism Relief Fund
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Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-9378
TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing
impaired): 1-877-303-3388
SOURCE Prairies Economic Development Canada