WASAGAMING TOWNSITE – INFORMATION UPDATE – COVID-19
UPDATED MARCH 24, 2020 The health and safety of Canadians, visitors and Parks Canada team members is our top priority. We are following the advice of public health experts and taking steps to support the Government of Canada’s efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 and reduce risks to visitors, employees, residents and other users of Parks Canada spaces. Parks Canada is asking Canadians to stay home. Anyone considering a visit to a Parks Canada location should cancel their plans Effective 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 and until further notice, Parks Canada is temporarily suspending all motor vehicle access by visitors at all national parks, including Riding Mountain National Park. All visitor services are suspended and all facilities are closed. This includes parking lots, trails, washrooms, showers, visitor centres, as well all camping facilities including oTENTiks, other roofed accommodations and backcountry camping are closed. Please visit pc.gc.ca a/riding and follow Parks Canada’s social media channels for information and updates on the status of all Parks Canada places. https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pnnp/mb/riding/visit/covid-19-info The following is some information specific to the Wasagaming Townsite: Will cabin, cottage and business owners have access to their properties on April 1, 2020? Parks Canada is strongly encouraging residents to follow government direction and stay home where possible. While there may be a barricade you can access your cabin/cottage or business. Parks Canada is asking that visitors support Canada’s efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19. Please stay home and cancel any non-essential travel. Can contractors continue to deliver services for Wasagaming Townsite and the North Shore? Commercial and through traffic in national parks are not impacted by this temporary suspension nor is vehicle access for park residents. This means that motor vehicle access to national parks, like Riding Mountain, for business purposes like residential construction is not suspended at this time. Residents who have commissioned construction work on their residential properties should, of course, have obtained all necessary construction permits and permissions in advance. Residents and businesses alike should follow the advice of public health experts with regard to hygiene and physical distancing. Will water service be available? Water turn on services will continue to be the responsibility of the lessee and may be weather dependent as per seasonal circumstances. Curb stop turn on requests can be made by leaving a message at 204-848-7275 and someone will return your call to arrange a time to meet you. Service delays maybe limited due to current capacity. Will there be a washroom and shower open for use? All washroom facilities throughout the park are closed at this time. The shower building and all other individual washroom buildings, kitchen shelters in the cabin area and campgrounds are closed. Parks Canada will re-evaluate this closure on an ongoing basis.
2
What services are available? A limited capacity for critical services is in place for the provision of water, sewer and garbage services to the Wasagaming townsite. Snow plow operators are on standby to clear highways and roads as required. Playgrounds, trails, and access to general public park facilities are closed to visitors. What emergency services are active? The RCMP, Parks Canada Law Enforcement, Fire Department and Ambulance Services are all active. Please dial 911 in a life threatening emergency. For safety, wildlife, or wildfire incidents call Parks Canada dispatch 1-877-852-3100 Can I still get a building permit, business licence or other paperwork related to my lease? Townsite staff are monitoring telephone and e-mail messages away from the office. Leaseholders can expect some delays in obtaining permits or other documentation. All efforts are being made to complete these types of transactions in a timely manner. Please contact the following staff for: Business Licence inquiries: koreen.miko@canada.ca Lease transaction inquiries: jacquie.pereira@canada.ca Development permit inquiries: allison.bardsley@canada.ca
Townsite Manager: (204) 848-7243, kevin.bachewich@canada.ca
How do I make a payment for Parks Canada invoices? Via credit card at (204) 848-7275; If no one is available via phone please leave a message and we will get back to you. By mail: Riding Mountain National Park, Box 299, Onanole, MB R0J 1N0.
Are businesses in Wasagaming open? Local services are limited at this time. Our business community has been responding to this situation in a responsible way. Individual businesses are making their own decisions regarding opening. Parks Canada is strongly encouraging residents to follow government direction and stay home. We must all do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19 and reduce risks to visitors, employees, and all users of Parks Canada spaces. When does Parks Canada plan to reassess the closure? Parks Canada is monitoring the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation closely and is working with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the federal government lead on the virus, and other partners to respond to COVID-19 and mitigate risks to employees and visitors. Parks Canada will re-evaluate this closure on an ongoing basis and will communicate regularly. A complete list of Parks Canada closures and the parameters of the closures is available on the Parks Canada website. Please visit pc.gc.ca and Parks Canada’s social media channels for information and updates on the status of all Parks Canada places.
