Editor:
I was disappointed to read in the March 22 edition of the Outlook the proposal to convert the old Calgary Power Transformer Building into some kind of visitor centre as part of the Lake Minnewanka Loop redevelopment.
For those not familiar with this site, it is an expansive concrete building that sits below the Minnewanka dam that is only accessible by a steep single lane road that switchbacks through a dark spruce forest.
The building has all the appeal of an abandoned mausoleum or overdone First World War bunker. There is no parking, numerous public safety hazards, and poor access to a building that has no redeeming features that remotely match the needs of a visitor centre in 2012.
Parks Canada is facing significant budget cutbacks. Limited resources and staff is a significant challenge to continue the provision of high quality visitor services throughout the park.
Presenting the messages associated with aquatic rehabilitation and the interesting history of the Minnewanka area would be much better served by developing high quality interpretative media at the Lake Minnewanka day use area and it would cost a lot less. It is a simple principle, put the messages where the people are.
Let this concrete elephant rest in peace.
Rob Harding,
Banff
