By Leah Murray

Police Point Park interpretive centre upgrades to start soon

Dec 20, 2017 | 2:10 PM

MEDICINE HAT – Renovations on the Police Point Park interpretive centre are expected to start on the new year.

The project was started by a $270,000 legacy grant for the Medicine Hat Accommodation Association.

The group had hoped to match that through government grants and contributions from other community groups, but they’ve exceeded expectations.

Thanks to a $150,000 donation from South Country Co-op, a $262,000 from the province’s Community Facility Enhancement Program, and $49,878 from the federal Enabling Accessibility Fund, there’s now $731,879 for the project.

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“Everyone came together and really made the most of the funding and really have made this project into something awesome for our city,” said Elisha Ammann with the Accommodation Association.

“We are very, very appreciative of the Accommodation Association,” said Chief Park Interpreter Corlaine Gardner. “They really got the ball rolling saying this is a tourist attraction and it needs a facelift.”

The nature centre opened back in 1982 and while there have been some repairs made over that time there haven’t been any major improvements.

The building wasn’t designed with accessibility in mind and that’s one of the big changes they’re hoping to make.

The renovations will include automatic doors and accessible washrooms.

“We’re really pleased that we’re able to turn what is now our ski room into an accessible washroom that will be unisex and big enough for wheelchairs to get in and out easily,” said Gardner.

The City of Medicine Hat has not had put any money into this project because of the donations and grants that have been made.

Mayor Ted Clugston said it shows what can happen when the community steps up to get something done.

“You look at all the service groups, Kiwanis, Kinsmen, Rotary, and the kind of money they bring to the table for pools and parks and paths and playgrounds those kinds of things,” said Clugston. “It’s just fantastic and we really appreciate it.”

The Accommodation Association hopes the makeover and renovations will reinvigorate the centre and encourage more people to visit and rediscover the park.

“I think that it’s really going to put it back on the radar for a lot of people,” said Ammann. “I think once these renovations happen it’s going to encourage them to come and check it out again and see that there is still a lot happening here and a lot of new things that can be discovered.”