Kamloops's wildlife park gets provincial funding to improve accessibility | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Kamloops's wildlife park gets provincial funding to improve accessibility

Paving pathways, accessible washrooms and improved signage are scheduled to be finished by November with the new funding.
Image Credit: FILE PHOTO

The B.C. Wildlife Park in Kamloops is getting a cash boost from the provincial government to improve accessibility to the park.

The wildlife park said in a press release that they plan to use the $149,000 grant to ease mobility and upgrade signage within the park, according to a recent press release.

"In 2019, (the park) welcomed nearly 120,000 guests from around the world.... We took notice of the areas that needed improvement and listened to our visitors. We strive to be 100% accessible for all of our guests who have varying accessibility needs," Glenn Grant, general manager and executive director, said.

The upgrades are scheduled to be completed by November 2021 and include paving crushed gravel pathways for wheelchair, stroller and walker accessibility. Five powered wheelchairs will also available for visitors to use. They also plan to upgrade washrooms to make them not only more accessible, but more "environmentally efficient." Additions like waterless urinals, raised toilets and roll-under sinks will be installed.

Lastly, the park plans to upgrade their signage to be placed at an "accessible height" and use large typeface to make it easier to read. They will also add ten permanent maps in order to eliminate paper maps.

The signage changes will also include "integrating Kamloops's local heritage and culture."

"All animal exhibit signage and park maps will include the traditional Secwepemc wildlife name translations. Each enclosure will include signage with each animal's unique story on how they became an ambassador for their species at (the wildlife park)," the press release said.

The park is one of 54 tourism stakeholders to receive funding from the province in the economic recovery plan.

The B.C. Wildlife Park in Kamloops is the only non-profit wildlife sanctuary in the Thompson Okanagan, and the only "full service wildlife rehabilitation centre" in the Southern Interior.


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