Millions of dollars are being spent to improve the infrastructure at the International Peace Garden (IPG) south of Boissevain.

Work continues on the expansion project at the conservatory and the new children’s play area opened this past weekend.

CEO Tim Chapman says planning for the future is a priority for the IPG board. “We were fortunate last year to pick up a $100,000 grant from the State of North Dakota. We’re using that Tourism Planning grant and working both with North Dakota and Manitoba to develop a new 10 year strategy.”

Plans are to unveil the new plan before the end of 2022.

Work is winding down on the new children's play area and the greenhouse paneling that will enclose the expansion of the conservatory is going up this week. We want to beat the frost this fall and get plants back into the building” said Chapman.

He adds it will take staff a few months to get all the big cacti in the ground and situated before a grand opening can take place in 2023.

The conservatory expansion project will cost about $9 million and the play area will end up costing about $1.4 million.

“The expanded conservatory is 8,000 square feet larger and the glue laminated beams from Western Archrib in Boissevain look incredible and it’s going to be a stunning look inside there and not just the plants but the way the building in a simplistic but real complimentary way will accent the collection.”