Access to Nut Point Campground has been restricted as of Tuesday. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

rebound

Tourism increasing in La Ronge area following years of pandemic

Sep 7, 2022 | 4:45 PM

It has been a busy summer for staff at the Lac La Ronge Visitor Centre.

That’s according to manager Judy Hanke, who explained sales have been strong and that there has been a steady stream of tourists and residents stopping at the centre. She noted many of the tourists are coming from different parts of Saskatchewan and Alberta, as well as far away places like the United States and New Zealand.

Hanke mentioned there were also six or seven couples who stopped by that were travelling across Canada.

“People come who are staying at Waskesiu hear about us and they come up for the day. They want to see different sites in and around La Ronge,” she said.

Tourists come to La Ronge for several reasons. Hanke said some come to see the Pre-Cambrian Shield, to camp, boat, fish and see the lakes. Others stop at the centre because they are headed to more northern destinations and need information.

Offender release

Man who kidnapped girl from Prince Albert playground to live in Regina after release

6m ago

overdoses

Significant rise in naloxone distribution in tri-communities in recent months

18h ago

ONLINE PREDATORS

Sask. sees record surge in child exploitation cases

21h ago

“The visitor centre has not been any less busy,” she said. “I have to say we might see numbers go down a little bit. I haven’t seen that yet.”

Use of the visitor centre by tri-community residents continues to be high. The centre serves as a hub for local artists and craftspeople to sell their products and Hanke said support by residents is good.

Most campgrounds in the Lac La Ronge Provincial Park are now closed for overnight camping as of the end of the Labour Day long weekend. Campgrounds at Devil Lake and Missinipe will remain open until Sept. 25, but could close sooner depending on weather conditions.

larongeNOW reached out to park manager Natasha Merriman for an interview about operations during the summer but didn’t receive a response by publishing.

–

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno