The provincial government has announced $18 million towards redeveloping the flood-ravaged Kananaskis Country Golf Course as a investment in tourism.
The provincial government has announced $18 million towards redeveloping the flood-ravaged Kananaskis Country Golf Course as a investment in tourism.
The decision has been over a year in the making, as the government has been silent on the future of 36-hole course's future after it was all but destroyed in the June 2013 flood. Only four holes were undamaged, however, the pro-shop, club house, tournament centre and other golf course buildings on higher ground were undamaged and are valued at $15 million.
“Kananaskis Country is part of our Alberta lifestyle, legacy and identity, and it is a vital part of our tourism industry," said Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation Richard Starke. "We get away to Kananaskis to have fun and connect with nature, and so do people from around the world. Restoring parks infrastructure benefits the people in our communities, and helps support the local economy. ”
The announcement included other investments in tourism for the village of Kananaskis, which sits in the centre of a provincial park and economically relies heavily on the golf course.
An additional $200,000 was announced for the Kananaskis Mountain Festival, which is in its second year from Aug. 1 to Oct. 27.
Canmore Business and Tourism's Andrew Nickerson supported the announcement as significant contributions to tourism in the Village of Kananaskis.
"The floods of 2013 had a major impact on the economy of the Kananaskis region," Nickerson said. "We are thrilled to see the provincial government take an active role in the restoration of critical infrastructure such as the Kananaskis Country Golf Course and the numerous surrounding hiking trails, as well as supporting innovative new programs such as the Kananaskis Mountain Festival. Without this investment the negative impact of the floods would be felt for years to come."
CBT also represents Kananaskis as its destination marketing organization and organizes the mountain festival, starting it as a response to the devastating damage done during the floods to promote tourism.
