Posted By JEFF TRIBE

There are no avocado fixtures or orange carpets.

But the 1970s vintage of Port Burwell Provincial Park's infrastructure meant an upgrade was certainly due.

"I believe the headline needs to be 'happy campers,'" quipped Elgin-Middlesex- London MP Joe Preston Saturday afternoon at the park, during the announcement of $600,000 in joint federal and provincial funding ($300,000 from each level of government) to improve infrastructure. 

The main project being funded is replacement of the comfort station in the park's 91-site Alzora Loop. Existing facilities have served admirably, but given it opened in 1972, infrastructure from that era does need improvements and replacement, says Park Superintendent Andrew Chambers.

"It's going to be an incredible improvement to the park," he said.

The federal funding portion has been provided through the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, a key component of Canada's Economic Action Plan. The provincial contribution is out of the two-year, $32.5-billion infrastructure commitment laid out in the 2009 Ontario budget.

Preston emphasized the cooperative nature of the funding, shared between two levels of government.
"It's work that had to be done anyway," said Preston, adding it was "great" part of the infrastructure spending could go toward improving provincial assets. "That's a pretty good idea too."

Ground will be broken on the project this September, with 97% of the project required to be completed by Mar. 31, 2011. The new building will feature male and female washrooms along with seven individual co-ed showers and laundry and utility rooms. Apart from being new and accessible, the upgraded comfort station will feature greener technology with high efficiency light bulbs, high-efficiency on-demand water heaters and low-flow toilets.
All three of the park's comfort stations have been on the books for replacement for "some time" said Chambers.
"So this is just perfect for us, perfect."

Steve Peters, Preston's provincial counterpart, was unable to attend (represented at the ceremony by assistant Anita Ratkovic-Baric) but commented via press release.

"Port Burwell is a wonderful community and the provincial park here is one of the best places in all of Ontario to enjoy the splendour of the north shore of Lake Erie," said Peters in the release. "Improving the park infrastructure will be a key component in maintaining existing visitor levels and promoting this lakeside gem for everyone to discover."

Despite being something of a very well-kept secret, the park is a gem concurred Chambers, and a "very family-oriented campground."
"This is going to go a long way toward making our campers comfortable when they stay here."

Parks are a very important part of communities, added Ratkovic-Baric, whether for families sharing time together, dog walkers, or those simply looking "to clear their minds.

"And as Joe (Preston) points out, this is a good tourist investment," she concluded. "It will help us today and for years to come."