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Cranbrook, BC (August 30, 2022) – A wildlife-viewing platform will grace Confederation Park in the near future, thanks to an important contribution of $25,000 by the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) toward the revitalization of Confederation Park.

Construction of the wildlife-viewing platform will begin this fall, and is to be completed by the end of November.

The revitalization project is focused on the natural areas of Confederation Park, and will see upgrades to the trail surfaces, and parking areas, installation of a toilet, a wildlife-viewing platform, and a dock for educational use, along with new bilingual wayfinding signage.

“Confederation Park is a well-loved wildlife sanctuary that provides park users with a unique opportunity to experience nature. The RDEK is proud to support the revitalization of the park and to provide funding for the construction of the wildlife viewing platform, which will enhance the experience for all,” says RDEK Board Chair Rob Gay.

“It has been an important goal in our Strategic Plan to leverage and enhance our community’s natural assets for the recreational benefit of our residents and visitors,” says Mayor Lee Pratt. “This funding from the RDEK, along with the funding from the Canada Community Revitalization Fund will go a long way to enhancing Confederation Park. I am grateful to both for their support of this project.”

“We are very grateful to the RDEK for their continued support in working with the City of Cranbrook to make special projects like this a reality,” says Stacy Paulsen, Director of Recreation and Culture. “The Canada Community Revitalization Fund along with the funding from the RDEK provided thy City with the opportunity to add some real nice upgrades to the Confederation Park/Elizabeth Lake area that locals as well as visitors to the area will get to enjoy for many years to come.”

On July 4, 2022, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), announced an investment of $184,750 through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) for the City of Cranbrook to help improve existing amenities at Confederation Park and constructing new ones.


Photo: The new wildlife viewing platform will be constructed just to the right of this existing concrete wildlife blind at Confederation Park this fall.  Photo by the City of Cranbrook.