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Title: Wednesday, September 28, 1988 hs September 28, 1988 Heritage Savings Trust Fund Act 7 [Chairman: Mr. Oldring] [2:05 p.m.] Mr. Chairman, if I may start out by saying once again that I certainly really appreciate the opportunity of being here today. MR. CHAIRMAN: Good afternoon, everybody. We'll call the We believe in the programs and believe in what your committee meeting to order. is doing and the importance of the delivery of these to the citi­ I want to begin by welcoming you, Mr. Minister, to our offi­ zens of Alberta. More specifically, it really gives us an opportu­ cial part of the Heritage Savings Trust Fund select committee nity to present some of the highlights on these two key program meetings. We’re delighted to have you and members of your areas that are being administered through Alberta Recreation department with us. and Parks. These programs, as you’ve indicated, have already I should say that, as you know, we’ve just recently come been outlined to you in some supplementary form, and we’d like back from a very successful tour of Kananaskis Country. We to be a little more specific as it relates to the municipal were in the very capable care of Mr. Ed Marshall and Margaret recreation/tourism areas program and the Kananaskis Country Qually, who displayed a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and recreation development program. pride in sharing some of the things we’ve been able to develop I’d like to proceed by outlining our progress in detail in the at Kananaskis Country. So it was a good trip, and it was very MRTA program and have a brief discussion of the Kananaskis helpful for the committee members. I understand it was the Country recreation development program and, as well, provide 10th anniversary last weekend. We would have liked to have some concluding remarks and, of course, invite any questions stayed for the rest of the week and celebrated it with you, but you may have. some of us had to get back to other commitments. I would anticipate to the members of your committee, Mr. But on that note, Mr. Minister, I’d like to turn the meeting Chairman, in all probability about a 12-minute review or cap- over to you to introduce the members of your department who sulization of our overall programs and certainly I'm not going to are with you. I would say that we would invite you to add any endeavour to take up their time and would welcome the opportu­ opening comments you might have further to the excellent video nity to have lots of time to spend in questions as well. and slide presentation we just witnessed. Then after that we’ll I'd like to look briefly, then, at the municipal recreation/ turn it over to questions from members of the committee. tourism areas program and, of course, reiterate that once again the purpose of the program was to provide funds for capital de­ MR. WEISS: Well, thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and velopment and, most importantly, operational cost of the recrea­ through you to members of your committee, I welcome the op­ tion facilities throughout the province, as was seen on the slide portunity to be here today and will certainly follow your course presentation. The initial emphasis on the program is really the of direction with introductions. development of basic outdoor recreation facilities. As you saw While it was the 10th anniversary of Kananaskis, this lady is through the slide presentation as well, we’ve certainly done that celebrating her 19th. It’s Margaret Qually, the director of public in all instances. It's also intended to support initiatives by affairs for Kananaskis Country management. municipalities and particularly nonprofit groups in the provision No stranger, as you have indicated, Mr. Ed Marshall, to my of services and facilities that will provide local recreation serv­ right, is the managing director of Kananaskis Country. ices and, more importantly, attract visitors to various locales and To my immediate left, Dr. Barry Mitchelson, Deputy Minis­ enhance and improve the tourism initiatives. ter. If I might add, ladies and gentlemen, and through you in the Well, the question I want to ask back to you — and perhaps Chair, Mr. Chairman, in all probability this will be the last op­ answer in its own way — is: how does the program work? Well, portunity I’ll have to share with Dr. Mitchelson, as Dr. Mitchel­ it’s really straightforward. The maximum amount of funding son will be returning to the private sector at the University of under the capital phase of the program, as you’re well aware of Alberta. I might add that it’s been a great association. His con­ and as outlined, but to re-emphasize, is $100,000 per site. Now, tribution through and to our department for the citizens of Al­ I say that’s the maximum, because in some cases, of course, we berta has certainly been a rewarding one, and we’ll miss him. have not committed the maximum. These capital grants are I'm just so pleased he could be here today in his wrap-up and available to develop and upgrade primary outdoor recreation assistance in preparation and the dedication he's brought to the facilities in such areas as general picnic areas, boat launches and Department of Recreation and Parks, in particular these two pro­ docks, beaches, park development, campsites, golf courses, ski grams as well. hills and other recreation facilities that would include such sup­ To the immediate left of Barry Mitchelson is John Weins, the port services as upgrading of water and water supplies, drinking manager of financial planning and management for the finance water, parking lots and, in the southern areas, a very interesting and administration division of Recreation and Parks. one, irrigation systems, which is a very important aspect of Just beside John is Kyle Clifford, in the recreation develop­ water management and one I hope your committee will address ment division of the department. in other areas as well. Beside Kyle and one aisle over is Fred Wilton of our recrea­ Both municipalities and community groups are eligible to tion development division, who, of course, was responsible for apply, and we’d like to emphasize that community groups are what I feel was a very informative and interesting recap and certainly most eligible to be involved. Emphasis has been given slide presentation as it relates to the MRTA program. to municipalities and community groups that are located in elec­ Just behind us - and we put them in the back purposely, be­ toral constituencies with a substantial rural component of it. We cause they’re the two who talk the most — Mr. Tony Myers. felt, of course, that with other programs your committee was And he should be talking the most, because he's the manager of responsible in delivering, our emphasis would be in the rural our public communications. When he stops talking is when I’ll communities. Sites are selected following a regional analysis of begin to worry. Sitting beside Mr. Myers is Carol Shields, the existing private-sector locations so that we’re not in conflict or executive assistant to myself and I certainly don’t think any competing with or hurting or endangering the private sector as stranger to any of you. We welcome any response or com­ well. munications you may have through to Carol as well. Now, once the capital phase of the project is completed, the 8 Heritage Savings Trust Fund Act September 28, 1988 MRTA grant recipients are eligible to apply for operational -jects represent an investment of some $2 million in our grants. The grants are a very significant part and one of the province, which contributes significantly as well. The program most important components of the program that you people have has now been operating for two years, which you’re certainly allowed us to administer. The grant period is 25 years of some well familiar with, and during that two-year period the funds the $20,000 per year being awarded to those successful applicants. department has received from the Heritage Savings Trust Fund Of course, this ensures then that the program is able to be main­ have prompted the development of some 51 projects. Now, tained in a safe and usable state, and the facilities that were con­ those 51 projects in total heritage investment dollars represent a structed under the program will be continually upgraded to en­ total of some $5.475 million. In '88-89 an additional 36 sites sure they’ll be there for citizens in years to come. All these will be funded, and once these sites are funded, it will bring the funds are allocated from the General Revenue Fund for the oper­ total of capital investment to some $7.475 million. ating grants. The program, while it may appear relatively small, contrib­ So just to recap, the basic details are as I’ve said: once utes and is compatible with other government initiatives of again, to provide up to $100,000 capital grant per site, the em­ tourism, economic development, and diversification. And I cer­ phasis being directly on the recreation component side of it, tainly want to put emphasis on: while it may appear small to along with assessing the tourism potential and the opportunity, some degree, it is a very, very important program and of long­ of course, then to make application for the 25-year operational term benefits to the rural communities, again.

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