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(Photo: Alberta Government)
world-class facility

Province announces $3.8M for renewal at the Hinton Training Centre

Aug 4, 2020 | 7:46 PM

Work will commence shortly on $3.8 million in updates to maintain the Hinton Training Centre, the provincial government announced on Tuesday.

This world-class facility develops and delivers technical and safety training programs for forest and wildfire management, providing services to more than 10,000 clients each year.

The province says the funding announced Tuesday will allow for interior updates in the Mountainview and Valleyview residences to support a better learning environment and experience at the centre.

“Alberta’s government is spending about $8.6 million on four Hinton infrastructure maintenance projects,” Premier Jason Kenney noted in a release. “This is part of an almost $2 billion investment into capital maintenance and renewal projects throughout the province that can be actioned quickly so we can keep companies operating and Albertans working.”

The government capital maintenance and renewal projects in Hinton will create more than 50 construction jobs, supporting the local economy and maintaining provincial infrastructure.

“The Hinton Training Centre is a key piece of Alberta’s wildfire and forest management network and ensures that we have the personnel to manage our province’s resources. This investment will directly support our forestry experts that protect our communities and manage Alberta’s forests every day,” said Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.

Work at the Hinton Training Centre will include updating HVAC systems and replacing interior finishes.

“Forestry and tourism are huge economic drivers for our area, and maintaining the Hinton Training Centre supports both of those industries. This project provides good construction jobs to keep Albertans working and stimulates the local economy right here in Hinton, where it matters most,” said Martin Long, MLA for West Yellowhead.

The funding for the project is part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan.

The Hinton Training Centre first opened its doors in 1960, and is a self-contained technical training facility that sits on 14 hectares in and around Hinton. The centre designs and delivers more than 60 wildfire management training courses annually, including seasonal wildland firefighter training. The centre also delivers forest management training that supports the sustainability and health of Alberta’s forests.