23TDRPAR420 - Parks Commercial Recreation Disposition (Parks Miscellaneous Lease) for Barrier Lake Day Use Area - Bow Valley Provincial Park

Alberta Environment and Parks – Parks Operations Division (“Alberta Parks”) is seeking a business entity or non-profit organization or Proponent Team to own and operate a boat and/or equipment rental service at Barrier Lake in Bow Valley Provincial Park under a Commercial Recreation Disposition (CRD) (also called a Parks Miscellaneous Lease or PML).

Barrier Lake in Bow Valley Provincial Park is a scenic reservoir commonly used for canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle-boarding. Located on Highway 40 (Kananaskis Trail) approximately 12 km south of Highway 1, it is approximately 41 km southeast of Canmore and approximately 86 km west of Calgary. There is currently an operator providing a mobile equipment and boat rental service at the site. A temporary Letter of Authority (LOA) permits the current operator to conduct their business at the site from May 14, 2022 to September 30, 2022.

The Barrier Lake Day Use Area has recently undergone refurbishment and expansion of the parking lot by Alberta Parks. As described in the 2018 Lower Kananaskis River – Barrier Lake Redevelopment Plan, a gravel pad has also been prepared specifically to accommodate private sector use for a small boat and equipment rental facility. The Government of Alberta is now interested in leasing a portion of the Barrier Lake Day Use Area to a third party starting in the 2022-23 operating season under a CRD (also called a Parks Miscellaneous Lease).