Kananaskis 2.0 right from the horses mouth

[Klondike]

http://lethbridgeherald.com/news/let...couraging-mla/


Say the word “parks” and her smile lights up the room.
Shannon Phillips is excited about the future of Alberta’s provincial parks.
“All Albertans deserve a high-quality outdoor experience,” the Lethbridge West MLA believes.
And as the province’s parks minister, Phillips is pleased with the progress being made at the new Castle River parks and others across Alberta.
A capital plan covering those initiatives is part of her government’s ongoing investment in infrastructure and public facilities, and Phillips says door-to-door canvassing in her westside riding show strong support for those projects. In time, she predicts, the Castle area will prove just as attractive to Albertans and visitors as Kananaskis Country — the province’s last major parks initiative, years ago.
The Castle — described as “the wild west” less than a decade ago — now has law enforcement, naturalists and a growing number of family friendly activities.
Phillips says many of Alberta’s provincial parks are reporting high attendance, and the online campsite reservation system has exceeded one million bookings.
“I’m very proud of this,” she allows.
But inevitably Phillips must spend more time on her other portfolio, the environment ministry. With so many issues globally and closer to home, climate change and the environment are in the headlines constantly.
In Alberta, she points out, the government has been successful in securing lower-cost electricity while working to reduce harmful emissions from coal-fired plants. Coupled with rapid advances in storing electrical energy, southern Alberta’s latest wind-farm projects will deliver reliable power at 3.7 cents per kilowatt hour.
At the same time, she says, the Alberta government’s ongoing energy conservation programs will be expanding to encourage businesses, organizations and homeowners to capture their own renewable energy — and reduce their utility bills.
The province has also moved to adopt an energy purchase system in line with other jurisdictions across North America — away from the regime imposed by former premier Ralph Klein.
Albertans have “no love” for that part of his power deregulation scheme, Phillips says.
Unlike British Columbia, Alberta has few opportunities for large hydro-electric projects. Earlier this month, the B.C. government gave the green light to the long-mooted Site C generating project on the Peace River.
While building a tie line to that plant and the B.C. power grid could be considered in the future, Phillips says her top priority on the energy front is clearing the way for a start on the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion.
The federal government and the nation’s energy industry regulators have approved construction, she points out. But Burnaby city officials say it can’t proceed if they don’t issue building permits.
“The province of B.C. has to make a decision,” Phillips says.
Reviewing other accomplishments in Alberta, the New Democrat says she’s happy to see low-cost child care, school fee reductions and continued investment in post-secondary education — among other initiatives. The government will also fulfil its pledge to allow cities to ban oil and gas drilling inside their boundaries.
Looking ahead, Phillips says Albertans can expect more projects involving solar as well as wind power, along with a number of other economic diversification programs. Her parks officials are also looking at developing more recreation areas in the foothills west of Red Deer.
And when the legislature resumes, Phillips expects to see Premier Rachel Notley put new Conservative leader Jason Kenney on the spot whenever he suggests his major budget-cut promises could somehow leave Albertans’ essential health, education and social programs unscathed.
“I can’t wait to see that contest in the legislature.”
Follow @DMabellHerald on Twitter


However I highly doubt that will have any impact on hunting

On a side note ....

http://lethbridgeherald.com/news/let...at-castle-mtn/


CASTLE MOUNTAIN

While some Canadian ski resorts say cold weather is keeping people away, not so at Castle Mountain west of Pincher Creek.

“The parking lot is full,” and guests are enjoying plenty of fresh powder snow, reports spokesperson Andrea Leckie.

“People are in good spirits,” due in part to 42 centimetres of snow received over the last 48 hours.

Winds are light, she says.

“And people come anticipating the cold.”

On Friday, 82 of the resort’s 94 trails were reported open, with five of the seven lifts operating.

Meanwhile, cabin owners and visitors are preparing for New Year’s celebrations on the weekend, Leckie said. A concert in the T-Bar pub is sold out, but another night of music is planned for the much-larger day lodge.


What do they mean by 94 trails? Is that 94 down hill ski runs or is it cross country trails or a combination of both? Seems like a large number or am I just out of touch on how developed these resorts become


Happy New Year