Construction to begin on Whistlers Campground in Jasper National Park

June 27, 2019                        Jasper National Park, Alberta             Parks Canada Agency

Canada’s national parks belong to all Canadians and represent the very best that Canada has to offer. Parks Canada is the country's largest tourism provider and we are committed to providing visitors with high-quality and meaningful experiences.

After four years of planning, environmental assessment, public engagement, engineering and design work, Parks Canada is pleased to announce a contract has been awarded for the redevelopment of Whistlers Campground in Jasper National Park. Following a public tendering process by Public Services and Procurement Canada, a $48.7 million construction contract has been awarded to PCL Limited, based in Edmonton, Alberta. This project is one of the most significant investments in visitor facilities in Jasper National Park in the past 50 years.

With the award of the contract now complete, Parks Canada will work with PCL to finalize the construction schedule and will share updates as more information becomes available. Parks Canada has already undertaken an important step to prepare for the construction phase with the removal of a number of dead or dying trees, many of which were affected by mountain pine beetle, which will help to provide for safe enjoyment of the campground long into in the future.  

Whistlers Campground, Jasper’s largest campground with 781 campsites, was built in the 1960s and has not had any significant upgrades since that time. This investment will modernize campground infrastructure, improve the visitor experience, and ensure Jasper National Park is able to provide high-quality visitor services for years to come. When the campground reopens, visitors will be greeted with a new registration centre, 17 new combined washroom and shower facilities throughout the campground, improved campsites, and wider roads for two-way traffic. Underground services will be replaced to improve water, sewer and electrical systems, as well as upgrade many of the existing electrical campsites to 50 Amp service.

The public tendering process by Public Services and Procurement Canada was completed on June 21, 2019 when PCL Limited was awarded the contract. The campground’s construction contract value was determined through a competitive public tender, and the lowest bid from qualified vendors was accepted.

Parks Canada appreciates the patience of the campers and shop and business owners in Jasper as this project is implemented. The improvements being made at Whistlers will contribute to improved visitor experiences for thousands of visitors for many years to come.

Over 1,000 other front-country campsites in 10 campgrounds in Jasper National Park continue to be available for the camping season. In addition, there are 15 other campgrounds within a close proximity to Jasper National Park that offer a range of camping experiences. To ensure the best possible experience, visitors are encouraged to plan their visit ahead of time through the Parks Canada’s website or download the Parks Canada’s app to make a reservation before coming to Jasper National Park. Reservations can be made at reservation.parkscanada.gc.ca.

In 2019, Parks Canada continues to offer a wide range of special events, volunteer activities, and interpretation programs in Jasper National Park. To help visitors plan their trip, a full list is available, along with information on recreation opportunities, on our website: www.parkscanada.ca/jasper.