Alberta’s provincial parks and recreation areas conserve our natural heritage and provide popular nature-based recreation opportunities to visitors from across the province and around the world. They also play a major role in Alberta’s tourism industry, providing opportunities for small businesses and having positive impacts on the economies of many local communities.
Alberta Environment and Parks (the Province) is seeking a business entity or non-profit organization to provide facility operations and maintenance for the Buffalo Lake-Big Knife Facility Operating Group.
Buffalo Lake-Big Knife Facility Operating Group (FOG) includes two parks: Buffalo Lake Provincial Recreation Area (PRA) and Big Knife Provincial Park (PP). Buffalo Lake PRA is approximately 100km of driving distance directly east of Red Deer, with Big Knife PP further east at 150km of driving distance.
Both sites are small parks, consisting for Buffalo Lake and Big Knife respectively: 28 campsites and 51 campsites. Sites offer regular camping, without group camping areas, or site amenities of power, water, sewer or shower. Potable water is available at Big Knife; Buffalo Lake has non-potable water via hand pump. Additional site features include cooking shelters, playgrounds and boat launches. Water activities are popular at both sites on Buffalo Lake and Battle River.
Average 5-year annual visitation of the two sites combined is 3,309 camping nights. In 2021, annual visitation was 3,520 camping nights.
Detailed information on Buffalo Lake and Big Knife can be found at:
• https://albertaparks.ca/parks/central/buffalo-lake-pra/
• https://albertaparks.ca/parks/central/big-knife-pp/
The Facility Operating Agreement will be for a 5 year term commencing April 1, 2023, concluding March 31, 2028.
About Alberta Parks and Facility Operating Agreements
Alberta Parks’ project objectives are:
• To inspire people to discover, value, protect, and enjoy the natural world and the benefits it provides for current and future generations in compliance with the park management plan(s) and/or the goals and objectives of Alberta Parks;
• To encourage private sector interest and opportunities in provincial parks;
• To collaborate with businesses and organizations to provide memorable experiences to visitors through high quality outdoor recreation opportunities and facilities;
• To provide a variety of services in an efficient, cost-effective, consistent, and customer-oriented manner;
• To collaborate with the private sector in sharing current provincial responsibilities for security and public safety services, and repairs, renovation, upgrading and enhancement of facilities currently in place; and
• To offset the Province’s operating costs.
Alberta's provincial parks and recreation areas conserve our natural heritage, and provide popular outdoor recreation opportunities. They play a major role in Alberta’s tourism industry, having positive impacts on the economies of many rural communities. Alberta Parks and our partners provide excellent customer service, including:
• Friendly and welcoming staff;
• Dealing with issues professionally;
• Communicating information to visitors, in person or over the telephone; and
• Willingness to “go the extra mile” to add value to the visitor’s experience.
For general information about Operating Agreements visit:
https://albertaparks.ca/albertaparksca/about-parks/alberta-parks-partnerships/third-party-operations-maintenance-opportunities/
