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May 13, 1997
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Provincial and privatized parks opening for season

Sandra Kelly, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced that privatization arrangements have been concluded on eight parks to be opened for the Victoria Day Weekend. The minister also announced the opening dates for the provincial parks. Government is currently in the process of concluding the final arrangements on the remaining private parks.

"Government is pleased that these new privatized parks will be in operation for what promises to be our busiest and most exciting tourism season ever," Ms. Kelly said. "The privatization process has proven extremely successful. A greater number of campsites are being offered to the public this Victoria Day Weekend as compared to the same time last year. Government is fulfilling its goal of meeting the demands of the camping public while working within its fiscal requirements," the minister said.

Eight newly privatized parks will be open for the Victoria Day weekend. They are as listed below with the number of available campsites identified in parentheses.

Beothuck Park
Operator: Chad Langdon, Springdale, (63)

Backside Pond
Operator: Backside Pond R.V. and Recreation Park Ltd., Green's Harbour, (51)

Catamaran Park
Operator: Badger Lake Funland Park Ltd., Badger, (52)

Jack's Pond
Operator: Putt 'N' Paddle Campgrounds, (74)

Gushue's Pond
Operator: Pen-Kel Enterprises Ltd., Salmon Cove, (112)

Northern Bay Sands
Operator: J. and S. Recreation Ltd., Gull Island, (44)

Bellevue Beach
Operator: Ivan and Maxine Anderson, Bellevue Beach, (77)

Square Pond
Operator: Piercy and Mary Holloway, Glovertown, (93)

Ms. Kelly said that she was especially pleased with the fact that five former parks employees are directly involved in the lease and operation of these parks.

"We viewed Gushue's Pond Park as an excellent entrepreneurial opportunity and we intend to make the most of it," said Rita Penney of Pen- Kel Enterprises. "These parks offer good business opportunities for the people in the rural areas of this province. The privatization of these parks is a positive move for this province's tourism and hospitality industry."

Ms. Penney is a former employee of Jack's Pond Provincial Park. "I believe users of the newly privatized parks will benefit from the experience and expertise that former employees like myself bring to the operatation of these parks," she added.

The opening dates for parks operating within the provincial government system are listed below. The number of available campsites for each park is also listed in parentheses.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14
Butter Pot (126) La Manche (69)

FRIDAY, MAY 16
Barachois Pond (150) Frenchman's Cove (76) Notre Dame (50)

FRIDAY, MAY 30
Sandbanks (25) Sir Richard Squires Memorial (159) J. T. Cheeseman (102)

FRIDAY, JUNE 13
Blow Me Down (28) Dildo Run (55) Pinware River (15) Pistolet Bay (30) Lockston Path (55)

The province's seven natural and scenic attractions will open on Friday, June 13. The interpretation centre located at Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve opened on Friday, May 2. Chance Cove Provincial Park opened for the season on Friday, April 25.

Ms. Kelly also provided an update on the status of the parks' workers who were affected by the privatization process. Of the 91 seasonal positions, 82 positions were actually occupied by seasonal staff. Of that number, 18 people accepted retirement or exit options offered by the government. Another 55 have been placed in other positions within the provincial parks system. Government is currently in the process of placing the remaining nine seasonal employees.

The Parks and Natural Areas Division is offering two new telephone numbers by which the public may access campsite vacancy and special event information regarding any of the 13 provincial parks. Persons living in areas covered by the St. John's telephone exchange can access this information by calling (709) 570-7573, while residents outside of this exchange can call, toll-free at 1-800-866-CAMP (2267). These lines will remain in operation from Thursday, May 15, to Saturday, August 30, 1997. Information provided on the system will be updated twice daily on Thursdays and Fridays and once on Saturdays.

Contact: Laura Cochrane, Director of Communications, (709) 729-0928.

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BACKGROUNDER
Provincial Parks Operational Information

The following information refers to provincially run parks:

The fee for unserviced campsites is $9 per night, while partially- serviced campsites will cost $11 per night. Unserviced campsites offer access to pit privies and drinking water taps conveniently located throughout the park. Partially-serviced campsites offer flush toilets, showers and laundry facilities.

Discounted camping fees are offered to frequent park users. The fee structure for all campsites includes a 10 per cent weekly, 15 per cent monthly and 20 per cent seasonal discount. Campers wishing to store their camping equipment in a park can do so for a $6 per week/partial week fee.

All day users and visitors wishing to enter a provincial park with a vehicle are reminded that they must have a valid daily or seasonal vehicle entry permit. The fees for these permits are $4 per day and $16 for the season. Campers will not be charged a vehicle entry fee for entry into the park in which they are camping.

Minister Kelly wishes to advise all park users that, in an effort to ensure a safe and enjoyable camping experience, special regulations will be enforced during the Victoria Day weekend, May 14 - 19. Any violation of the following regulations will result in an immediate eviction from the park and charges possibly being laid.

• - Only one piece of camping equipment is permitted per campsite.
  - Excluding family situations, a maximum of four persons are permitted per campsite.
  - Persons must be 19 years of age or older to register for a campsite.
  - Visitors are not permitted to enter the campground area after 9 p.m.
  - Visitors to the campground must register at the checkpoint or park office.
  - Campsites must be kept clean and tidy. If sites are left dirty and littered, the person to whom the site is registered
  will be charged.
  - Consumption of alcoholic beverages is restricted to designated campsites or picnic sites.
  - Quiet time is from 10 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.
  - The cutting of trees and bushes is not permitted.
  

Minister Kelly also encourages all park users to protect the environment and clean campsites before vacating a provincial park.