Calgary

Parks Canada holds open house on Waterton visitor centre plan

A large turnout is expected at an open house on Parks Canada's plan for a new visitor centre at Waterton Lakes National Park, which has some residents upset about the location.

Some residents upset about location and lack of consultation

This field in the Waterton townsite if where Parks Canada wants to build its new visitor centre. (Google Maps screenshot)

Parks Canada is holding an open house to show its plan for a new visitor reception centre at Waterton Lakes National Park.

The centre is being built in one of the last remaining green spaces in the Waterton townsite, and some residents are upset with the plan.

"There's been no public consultation and that's obviously of concern when they're dealing with taxpayer money and they're going ahead with a project that many, many people are opposed to," said Bonnie Fromm, who speaks for the Save the Waterton Field Initiative.

Fromm said the visitors centre should be built on the way into town.

"It's like going to Walmart and the greeter is at the back of the door where you can't see him. It would be very difficult for people to navigate without having previous direction on how to get to the visitor centre," she added.

She expects a large turnout for the open house, which runs on Saturday and Sunday.