By TERRY PUGH
A $3.5 million storm water drainage project aimed at preventing surface flooding in Warman is one of 10 Saskatchewan projects funded through the Provincial-Territorial stream of the Canadian Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF).
Funding for the upgrades is shared by three levels of government, with the feds providing $1.4 million, the province contributing $1,155,550, and the city responsible for $933,450.
According to the City of Warman Planning and Development department, this project will vastly improve surface water drainage in the ditch located behind Wilken Crescent that travels east to the tracks, and then eventually down Ferry Road (Township Road 390).
“This is great news for Warman,” says Mayor Gary Philipchuk. “Our community has grown considerably the past two decades, and this contribution received through the Investing in Canadian Housing Infrastructure Program allows the City of Warman to sustainably continue that vibrant growth for years to come. We are grateful to our partners, the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan, for supporting this initiative.”
In an email to the Gazette, Warman Director of Infrastructure, Planning and Develompent said the plan is to install a pipeline in that ditch, and also to adjust and enlarge the culvert size under the tracks to help significantly with flow.
“Right now there is no grade in that ditch,” stated Toth. “To get grade we are going to then re-direct storm water from going down Ferry Road. Instead, it will travel east of the dog park to our main storm pond where our newly-installed four foot pipe to the river will discharge it. This helps us deal with a significant pinch point in the city right now for storm water.”
Funding for this project as well as nine others in communities across the province was announced October 13. The announcement came on the heels of a trip to Ottawa by Government Relations Minister Eric Schmalz and several Saskatchewan municipal leaders to meet withfederal leaders as part of the province’s ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure programs.
According to a provincial news release, this ‘Team Saskatchewan approach’ has resulted in positive outcomes. Through this advocacy, communities across Saskatchewan will benefit from improved water, wastewater, drainage and sewer infrastructure that will help support housing growth, community development and economic opportunities, following a joint investment of more than $73.5 million from the federal and provincial governments.
“Strong, reliable infrastructure is essential to the health, growth and long-term success of communities across Saskatchewan,” Rural Development Secretary of State Buckley Belanger said. “By working together with our partners, we are helping communities address critical infrastructure needs while supporting new housing, economic opportunities and a strong quality of life for residents.”
“Infrastructure investments are an important piece in building and sustaining growth across Saskatchewan,” Government Relations Minister Eric Schmalz said. “People raise their families and businesses in Saskatchewan because of our strong economy, our vibrant people and our commitment to long-term, sustainable growth. We are excited that these projects are moving forward so residents can benefit from modern, reliable infrastructure that make our communities strong and safe now and for generations to come.”
Funding will support Phase 1 of the City of Yorkton’s Water Pollution Control Plant Renewal Project, including upgrades to the H.M. Bailey Water Pollution Control Plant’s Headworks facility to increase treatment capacity and improve environmental outcomes. The project will also support future housing and economic growth in Yorkton, including the potential development of the equivalent of 7,150 additional housing units.
In the Town of La Ronge, the existing sanitary sewer system along Bedford Drive and Louis Road will be extended to support the construction of two residential apartment buildings. The project will enable approximately 124 new housing units through the installation of 860 metres of sewer main connecting the sites to the nearby sewage pumping station.
Several additional communities will also benefit from improvements to essential services that will support growth, including Shellbrook, Arcola, Estevan, Swift Current, Big River, Naicam and the RM of St. Louis.
Under CHIF, the federal government will provide $187.9 million and the provincial government will provide approximately $155 million to address housing-enabling infrastructure priorities.