WINNIPEG -- The province announced funding for FortWhyte Alive to support conservancy and educational activities.
Premier Brian Pallister announced on Thursday morning that his government will be investing more than $8.5 million into FortWhyte Alive.
As part of the investment, $4.5 million will go towards the FortWhyte Forever Capital Campaign, which will see a deep energy retrofit of the interpretive centre exterior as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioners in the interior spaces and exhibits.
A public facility will also be built, which will feature "educational and recreational elements including adventure and nature play areas," the province said.
The Canadian government is also investing $4.7 million into these projects.
Construction on the facility is expected to start in early 2021 and is scheduled to be completed by 2022.
The province is also putting $4 million towards the FortWhyte Forever Endowment Fund, with the government saying the money will allow for roughly $200,000 in revenue per year to "consolidate and replace long-standing annual program support previously provided by several provincial government grants."
Liz Wilson, the president and CEO of FortWhyte Alive, said she is thrilled by the investment the government is making.
"These critical investments propel us into an exciting new phase of FortWhyte's future. One, that until now, has really been a dream," said Wilson.
"The stability that this type of funding will provide annually will allow FortWhyte to be here long term for our community. It ensures a future where more Manitobans will be able to access FortWhyte, connect with nature, appreciate it, and more importantly, learn to protect it."
Wilson added the deep energy retrofit project is already underway and construction is expected to wrap up by the end of 2020.
