Blackstone park’s visitor centre to be upgraded

If you’re dropping by the Dehcho’s Blackstone Territorial Park next year, the visitor centre may look a little different.

The park – which is on the NWT’s Highway 7 between Fort Liard and Fort Simpson, and has 19 campsites and cabins – is upgrading the interior of its visitor information centre and restructuring its displays.

The existing displays – focusing on local history, the landscape of the area, animals, arts, and activities like hiking and paddling – will be reused. They remain in “pristine condition,” said Jacqueline McKinnon, a spokesperson for the Department of Industry, Tourism, and Investment, by email.

“There will be updates as well as interpretive areas to encourage guests to socialize and share experiences of their travels,” McKinnon wrote.

McKinnon said the interior is being revamped because it has been the same since its creation, though the visitor centre’s exterior was recently renovated.

Now, a construction tender issued by the territorial government aims to have the interior revamped by October 31.

Once the contract is awarded to a company, the Dehcho parks office will consult nearby communities before work begins, McKinnon said.

The GNWT said the cost associated with the work is not yet finalized.

Camping at Blackstone is open until September 26, according to the NWT Parks website.