(Prince Albert National Park)

By Jeff D’Andrea

Enjoying the August Long Weekend

Local tourism hot spots ready for first long weekend with no restrictions

Jul 28, 2021 | 4:16 PM

The upcoming August long weekend will be the first three-day weekend since the Government of Saskatchewan removed its COVID-19 restrictions.

And local tourist attractions are preparing for a massive weekend.

The Prince Albert National Park (PANP) has long had both of its reservable campsites, the Beaver Glen and Red Deer campgrounds, fully booked up for the long weekend. They also expect its three first come, first served campgrounds near Namekus Lake, Sandy Lake, and the Narrows to be completely occupied as well.

“Long weekends are always busy at Prince Albert National Park. We’ve seen an increase in visitation all summer, even before the lifting of restrictions,” PANP’s Visitors Service team leader Jeff Wasylyk. And with the forecast that’s coming up this weekend with the sun and nice temperatures, we’re expecting that trend to continue this weekend. We feel that we’ll be very busy.”

It won’t just be overnight guests that are expected to be at the park. The PANP has a lot of activities available for day users as well.

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“With this weather, it looks fantastic. We’re expecting large numbers of day users just coming up, whether they’re going to the beach or hiking the trails, or the day-use areas for a wiener roast, we’re anticipating large numbers,” Wasylyk said.

Long lineups at the entry gates are expected, and Wasylyk recommends arriving earlier in the day to avoid the crowd.

Manitou Beach. (Tourism Saskatchewan)

Relaxing at the beach

Like PANP, Manitou Beach has also been quite busy throughout the summer — even before the restrictions were removed — but it’s going to get even busier.

Carrie Schaan, the manager of group marketing and sales at the Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa, said the resort held back 20 per cent of their room during the restrictions. But since the guidelines have been eased by the province, the resort has opened up all of its rooms to its patrons. Not only are they fully booked for the long weekend, but they have also been all week.

“Our whole summer has been impressively busy,” Schaan said. “Usually long weekends have been full, but we’ve always held back with restrictions, about 20 per cent of our rooms. Now that the restrictions are gone, we’ve been 100 per cent full all week. The weekend is equally as busy with a long waiting list, so that’s great for us to see.”

The campgrounds at Manitou Beach are also fully booked. Trails, golfing, mini-golf, mineral water pool, kayak, paddleboarding, lake excursions and other activities are available for visitors.

Candle Lake Golf Resort (Candle Lake Golf Resort).

Hitting the Candle Lake links

Candle Lake Golf Resort head professional Don Ludwig anticipates the long weekend to be just a little bit busier than normal, only because their ‘normal’ booking sheets have been close to full as it is.

Ludwig said in recent years that hosting 200-250 golfers was considered a busy day. This summer, Ludwig said the course had up to 400 golfers in one day, and have had several days with over 300.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a weekend or a weekday, things are just busy,” Ludwig said. “People are anxious to get out golfing which they’re doing. With the long weekend coming it, it might be a tad busier. But we’re just busy all the time.”

For this weekend, bookings are close to full. From 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the weekend is fully booked, with a few slots open in the late afternoon for those who want to sneak in a quick evening round.

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Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW