Back to Stories

FortWhyte Alive Announces $12.4 Million in Federal Funding Towards Construction of Buffalo Crossing

Posted on October 10, 2023

Maybe you’ve noticed the structure going up at the south end of the FortWhyte site or have heard the distant bustle of activity while exploring our trails and lakes.

All that beautiful timber you might have seen rising at the south shore of Lake Muir is forming the frame of Buffalo Crossing, the newest expansion and renewal of FortWhyte Alive, which will provide new opportunities for visitors, students and adventurers to learn and connect with nature.

Ben Carr, Terry Duguid, Tanis Ostermann, Gary Filmon, and Liz Wilson stand in front of Buffalo Crossing building under construction

Today, we’re beyond thrilled to announce the generous federal contribution of $12.4 million towards its construction.

The funding was announced as part of the federal Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program this afternoon by the Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre, Ben Carr, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor for Water and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, Terry Duguid, in a joint event with FortWhyte Alive Board Chair Tanis Ostermann, FortWhyte Forever Capital Committee Chair Gary Filmon, and FortWhyte Alive President and CEO Liz Wilson.

“Thanks to this generous green investment in our community by our government partners, FortWhyte Alive will continue to be a leader in championing sustainable practices while strengthening our connections with the natural world. Buffalo Crossing, our new visitor centre on McGillivray Boulevard, will be the southern gateway to our site, offering expanded capacity for year-round educational programming and events. Buffalo Crossing will not only act as a centrepiece of FortWhyte Alive as we look toward the future, but will be a catalyst for climate resilient architecture throughout our province.”

– Liz Wilson, President & CEO, FortWhyte Alive (pictured above at the soon-to-be front entrance of Buffalo Crossing with FortWhyte Alive Vice President Ian Barnett)

Even with the incredible contributions of our government partners, we’re not done yet. We are continuing to raise funds to fully realize the Buffalo Crossing dream, and every donation helps. It’s still possible to become part of these historic changes at FortWhyte Alive by donating at givetruenature.ca.

› Read more in the official Government of Canada news release

› Learn more from our Buffalo Crossing FAQ

Rendering of Buffalo Crossing in summer.
Buffalo Crossing renderings provided by Stantec Architecture