March 18, 1998
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Remaining four parks successfully privatized

Sandra Kelly, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced that privatization arrangements have been finalized for four more parks that are set to open for the 1998 season. Government has now concluded the privatization process than began in February 1997.

"The privatization process is an overall success," Minister Kelly said. "The new owners, the camping public and government will enjoy the benefits of a streamlined system that has much more to offer."

Three of the four new privatized parks operated in 1997 under a short-term leasing arrangement. The fourth, Duley Lake, was operated by the province in 1997. They are listed below with the number of available campsites identified in parentheses.

Duley Lake (100)
Operator: Tom Delaney, Wabush

Flatwater Pond (25)
Operator: Joseph and Bonnie Smith, King's Point

Windmill Bight (29)
Operator: John Woodrow, St. John's

David Smallwood (27)
Operator: Town of Gambo

Twenty-one former provincial parks have now been successfully privatized through this initiative, and all of them are expected to operate this year.

Contact: Doug Burgess, (709) 729-0928.