The federal government will spend $3 million to upgrade Whistlers, Wapiti and Wabasso campground, as part of the federal government’s economic action plan.

“This will help in this area as we look to increase the opportunity of international marketability of parks, and domestic marketability,” MP Rob Merrifield said.

Merrifield made the announcement at the Jasper Rotary Club meeting at the Sawridge Hotel on April 6. The plan will upgrade several campsites in the area, including the addition of electrical outlets to many sites, the construction of a new interpretative trail that will connect to the Jasper trail and upgrades to washroom facilities.

While more of a re-announcement than new money, the cash has been earmarked for several specific programs. Parks was expecting this roll-out of cash, which must be spent by March 2011.

Merrifield said the work isn’t maintenance, but a significant upgrade for the park.

“You’re creating brand new stuff for these parks. These were campsites that weren’t full service,” Merrifield said.

The money was needed because of the level of deterioration that had occurred in the national parks.

“This was overdue,” Merrifield said.

The action plan has spent $10 million in Jasper, plus another $10 million in Jasper National Park. Merrifield said spending has left the government with a $53 billion deficit, but by lowering taxes, he hopes Canada will recover quickly, stating that lower taxes create economic opportunity.

“$10 million in Jasper alone through the economic action plan, plus $10 million through parks. It’s a very significant investment,” Merrifield said.

Jasper National Park Superintendent Greg Fenton said there is a significant demand for improved services, specifically upgrades to campgrounds.

“For an example, take Whistlers campground. It has 481 sites and just under 100 are fully serviced with electricity. There’s greater demand for this level of service. It will move us closer to other national parks with that portion of service,” Fenton said.

He also mentioned visitor experience crews are working to ensure the campgrounds have access to Wi-Fi service.

Money will also be spent on improving signage in the campgrounds and washrooms at Wabasso campground.

“It hasn’t seen upgrades for a while,” Fenton said.

The new two kilometre interpretive trail will also help highlight some of the work Parks Canada is completing. “It will provide an opportunity to profile some of the things we’re doing,” Fenton said. “It will hook into the trail that comes from town.”

Mayor Richard Ireland and AMPPE president Richard Leavens both asked MP Merrifield to continue to push for tourism funding within the cabinet. They spoke of the importance of tourism to Canada’s economy, and the need for the file to have a higher profile. Canada only has a secretary of state for tourism, not a full cabinet minister.

Tourism contributes more to GDP than agriculture, forestry and manufacturing combined, Merrifield said, mentioning they have a friend with the current government.

Leavens also spoke of the need to help increase economic opportunities in the national park. Merrifield said he was ‘on his side’ but Jasper must be careful not to lose its advantage and become too much like Banff.