The City of Warman received a financial boost for its sewage treatment lagoon expansion project from the provincial government.

The province is providing a $1.584 million Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP) grant to the city.

The funding was confirmed by Government Relations Minister Lori Carr in an announcement on Wednesday, July 22.

The Warman lagoon upgrade is one of 303 municipal capital projects to collectively receive $16.6 million in MEEP funding.

That brings the latest number of approved projects to 497 representing a total investment so far of $38 million by the Government of Saskatchewan. The program deadline twas extended o July 31 from July 17 for municipalities to submit potential projects under the program.

Warman City Manager Bob Smith said the provincial MEEP funding is welcome news.

“It helps offset the municipal share of the overall cost of the lagoon expansion and upgrade project,” said Smith in an interview July 22. “The city had committed to borrowing $5 million in order to finance our share of the project, but this grant will reduce the amount we need to borrow now to $3.5 million.”

Smith said preliminary work on the lagoon upgrade project is currently underway, with the bulk of the construction planned for 2021.

“It’s in the engineering stage right now,” said Smith. “In the fall we’ll look at getting the tenders out and over the winter having preparatory ground work completed.”

Other area communities getting the green light for MEEP funding include:

* RM of Great Bend ($73,158 for municipal equipment);

* Town of Asquith ($91,842 for road improvements);

* Town of Blaine Lake ($60,000 for town office renewal and repair);

* Town of Delisle ($149,190 for street improvements);

* Town of Hague ($113,171 for replacement of the community outdoor rink and $12,448 for watermain replacement);

* Town of Hepburn ($98,885 for roadway improvements);

* Village of Borden ($41,250 for upgraded sewage lift station);

* Village of Laird ($25,375 for pumps and water truck; $6,500 for computer equipment, and $$6,500 for municipal office building windows);

The $150 million MEEP 2020 was announced in May and is a key component of the Government of Saskatchewan’s $7.5 billion, two-year capital plan to build a strong province and stimulate its economic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

All MEEP 2020 funding must be used by municipalities by March 31, 2022.

“Our government recognizes some municipalities may need just a little more time to complete their MEEP applications during these summer months and we want to ensure they have ample opportunity to take advantage of this program,” Carr said.  “Provincial investments in local projects and initiatives will help create jobs in communities during this recent unprecedented period, strengthen municipal assets and improve quality of life.”