MOOSEJAWTODAY.COM — On July 11, the ribbon was cut to announce that Buffalo Pound Provincial Park’s new Visitor’s Centre is officially open. The ceremony was attended by Park Manager Dave Bjarnason and The Honourable Laura Ross, Minister of Parks, Culture, and Sport.
The new Visitor’s Centre is located at the site of the old White Track chalet, and the renovated facility makes use of infrastructure that was otherwise left dormant.
“From the pavilion to the swimming pool, (the park) has benefited from a very aggressive face-lift over the last few years,” said Bjarnason.
“This was done very methodically to be able to provide the best visitor experience,” explained Ross.
The new Visitor’s Centre
“It goes beyond words as far as the importance it [the new centre] plays, because it does link us to the past,” said Bjarnason. “It was the former ski chalet, and so many people grew up in the area learning how to ski and spending time with their families.”
Bjarnason said the facility adds value to the park and helps meet otherwise open needs.
“There’s the Interpretive Centre downstairs, which has all the information on the flora and fauna within the park. Up here, (The Travelling Bakery) is open Thursday to Monday,” said Ross in her address.
“Check out those chairs along the deck,” she added, noting that several are bar height and swivel. “Who has patio chairs like that? Well, we do here at Buffalo Pound! At our provincial park, we are really looking after people.”
Renovations to the Visitor’s Centre and nearby facilities were concluded last season, with a few improvements finishing up late this spring.
“All I know is when I was here last year, this portion had been pretty much done but a few things had to be tweaked.” Ross mentioned a few modifications were added to enhance the social environment.
“It gives it a nice iconic centrepiece to what we’re doing… to create a hub for the recreational activities in the park,” said Bjarnason.
“We did keep some of the things like the fireplace and the stairs coming in, they are original,” he added.
The facility is wheelchair accessible, and this follows the same standard set throughout the park, thanks to this year’s accessibility initiative.
Interpretive Centre
After the ceremony, there was a formal tour of the Interpretive Centre downstairs.
“We’ve always looked for some place… for an interpretive area… finally it landed on something that we feel is representing what is important to Buffalo Pound,” said Bjarnason. “It was such an entangled piece of what we wanted to create.”
The Interpretive Centre features information designed to complement your park experience. Included are placards with information about local flora and fauna, information on bison, and other details such as the glacier that formed the lake.
White Track
The opening of the new Visitor’s Centre happened at the right time according to Bjarnason.
“Its timing is just about perfect because you’ve seen growth in the use of the area with mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts. So, to have a place for them to congregate and to meet and embark on these adventures was very important.
“Sitting on the deck watching the bikers come down is akin to sitting on the 18th green at the club house when you are sitting there having your lunch,” he said.
“That’s the vision, to have something on (the hill) that’s captivating.
“Same with the pump track. Your kids can be on the track, and you can sit down and have your coffee or lunch.”
Bjarnason said the new facility supports engagement. “It gets everyone involved. You’re not sitting in your car, and you’re not sitting on a lawn chair in the dirt; you’re in a nice, comfortable environment.”
White Track was a ski hill but closed back in the early 2000s. Bjarnason says there isn’t enough interest to reopen the hill for skiing, but private investors are welcome to explore it. As it stands, “The bikers have taken over a bit.”
“That’s a downhill (bike) trail, and we’ve created another one that comes up the backside of the hill, so it creates its own little circuit.” For now, the trail has been named the Buckwild Trail by local biking clubs.
“We’re redefining where the Trans-Canada Trail comes through the park, and that new trail segment is going to be part of that,” he said.
The facility can be rented for your business or personal event and is an ideal setting for your family reunion or other occasion. For more information contact306.694.3320.
The Travelling Bakery will provide catering to your event and can book outside their regular hours. The Travelling Bakery has new hours, Thursday to Monday from 10am to 6pm. For information you can call 306-513-7747 | or email [email protected].
The Buffalo Pound Visitor’s Centre will be open year-round and supports seasonal activities in the park.
