News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Fort Edmonton Management Company (FEMCo) is immensely pleased to be informed of the Provincial Government’s decision to support our proposal for the development of Fort Edmonton Park. It is with sincere gratitude that the company extends thanks to Ricardo Miranda, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Dr. Bob Turner, MLA for Edmonton Whitemud, and the Government of Alberta for recognizing the value of these plans towards the preservation of our heritage, the expansion of our tourism market and the overall economic impact on the local economy.
The funding will be directed towards four key initiatives identified in the Updated Master Plan approved by City Council in 2010: the expansion of the Johnny J Jones Midway, an expansion of the Hotel Selkirk, a new Guest Services and Admissions area and – the anchor of the plan – the building of the Indigenous Peoples’ Experience.
In 2015, Fort Edmonton Park signed Memorandums of Understanding with both the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations and the Métis Nation of Alberta and is committed to the inclusion of these parties and the respective peoples they represent, in the programming and capital development process when it impacts their historical and cultural narratives.
The entire project has a price tag of approximately $160 million of which the City of Edmonton has committed $70 million towards the necessary utilities upgrade work. Discussions are underway with the Federal Government, Department of Canadian Heritage as well as with potential private and corporate contributors to complete the funding required to realize the project.
The next steps to be taken will be the completion of detailed design work. Construction is slated to start in late 2017. While exact numbers are not yet available, it is anticipated the project will create many new jobs both during the construction phase and ongoing.
The Fort Edmonton Management Company would also like to thank Mayor Don Iveson and City Council for their ongoing support and commitment to the Park, as well as our partners, the Fort Edmonton Foundation, the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations and the Métis Nation of Alberta.
MEDIA CONTACT
Bill Demchuk
Executive Director, Fort Edmonton Management Company
Fort Edmonton Park
P: (780) 496-8773
E: bill.demchuk@edmonton.ca