PRINCE ALBERT, January 24, 2005 -- Two renovated and rejuvenated apartment buildings, offering both affordable housing and daycare services, were officially opened in Prince Albert today. Funded by the governments of Canada, Saskatchewan, and Prince Albert, the Cedar Brook Apartment complex is located at 1621 and 1631, 15th Street West. It features 34 lower-income apartments and a 16-space daycare centre for use of residents and local neighbourhood families.This project, conceived and managed by the River Bank Development Corporation (RBDC), received $1.43 million in federal-provincial-municipal funding under the Centenary Affordable Housing Program. CAHP funding consists of $1,289,790 from the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan, and $143,310 from the City of Prince Albert.Children's Choice, who operates a 65 space child care centre, participated in this project and expanded its operations to open Children's Choice West, a 16 space licensed child care centre in the Cedar Brook Apartment complex. The child care centre features six infant, six toddler, and four pre-school spaces. Six of the spaces have been designated as KidsFirst spaces ¿ targeted for vulnerable or at-risk children."Affordable housing and accessible child care are some of the building blocks for families and successful communities," noted the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Wascana, on behalf of Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing. "The Government of Canada and our partners in Saskatchewan are working hard to ensure that the residents of Prince Albert have both.""Today, thanks to the leadership and community spirit of the River Bank Development Corporation, we celebrate the opening of 34 renovated quality affordable homes, and 16 additional child care spaces for Prince Albert families," Community Resources and Employment Minister Joanne Crofford said. "This project clearly demonstrates how, together we can use programs such as HomeFirst, the provincial housing strategy; Child Care Saskatchewan and Kids First to establishing a starting point to independence and lasting participation in the social and economic life of the province" "The community demonstrated a clear desire for new affordable housing and the City has supported it," Prince Albert Mayor Jim Stiglitz said. "The rejuvenated apartment buildings are an important improvement to our city and the new daycare spaces will help neighbourhood families."The River Bank Development Corporation is a non-profit corporation incorporated in 1998. It is also involved in other community-focused projects in Prince Albert including the Recycle Store, Creations Catering Co-op, Small Business Loan Association and Smart Families Food Co-Op.CAHP is funded under the Canada-Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Agreement. It provides $33 million in federal funding for affordable housing, matched by Saskatchewan, municipalities and other parties. With these matching contributions, a total of $66 million, will be allocated by 2007 - 08 for affordable housing. - 30 - For further information, please contact:Herman HulshofCommunity Resources and EmploymentRegina(306) 787-0916Jason CobbCanada Mortgage and Housing CorporationCalgary(403) 515-2903Jennifer CardiffCity of Prince AlbertPrince Albert(306) 953-4370
