The towns of Delisle, Duck Lake, Hague and Rosthern are among 26 Saskatchewan communities receiving infrastructure grants through the Investing in Canada plan from senior levels of government in the coming year.
The federal government is committing $21 million and the Province of Sasktchewan $12 million to upgrade recreation facilities in communities across the province. The communities are contributing $12 million.
In Delisle, the funds will go toward creation of a splash park and green space facility. The total cost of the project is $309,826, with the federal government putting in $123,930; the province $103,265 and the community $82,631.
The Town of Duck Lake will benefit with an upgrade to its Belladrome hall. Improvements include roof replacement, kitchen area upgrades, installation of weeping tiles and addition of wheelchair accessible bathrooms. The total cost of the project is $254,560 with the feds contributing $101,824, the province $84,845 and the community $67,891.
The Town of Hague will see improvements to the community arena, including installation of a concrete floor and associated floor heating and cooling system. The total cost is $1,215,000 with the feds ponying up $486,000, the province $404,960 and the community $324,040.
The Town of Rosthern’s Jubilee Sports Centre will be getting a $1.5 million facelift with upgrades to its floor and roof to ensure faclity longevity. The total cost of $1,482,925 is split between the federal government ($593,170), provincial government ($494,259) and community ($395,496).
An announcement of the funding was made March 9 by Jim Carr, Special Representative for the Prairies, on behalf of Catherine McKenna, Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Saskatchewan’s Government Relations Minister Don McMorris.
The grants are aimed at reducing the impact of COVID-19 on Saskatchewan families while helping create jobs and spur growth and investment.
Providing communities with reliable and sustainable infrastructure is a shared priority for both governments.
“The Government of Canada is taking decisive actions to help create jobs and support our economy,” said Carr. “These projects in Saskatchewan will provide better access to community amenities such as playgrounds and swimming pools, update sewage systems and provide reliable, efficient water services. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities.”
“Our provincial government is proud to play a role in these infrastructure initiatives by investing more than $12 million that will help them move from the drawing board to reality,” McMorris said. “These projects improve the rural transportation system, water and recreation facilities, create jobs, improve quality of life and strengthen Saskatchewan.”
Through the Investing in Canada plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
* $26.9 billion of this funding is supporting green infrastructure projects.
* $25.3 billion of this funding is supporting social infrastructure in Canadian communities.
* $2 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure that meets the unique needs of rural and northern communities, like facilities to support food security, local access roads and enhanced broadband connectivity.
In Saskatchewan, Infrastructure Canada has invested more than $721 million in over 400 infrastructure projects under the Investing in Canada plan.