July 12, 2005
Yorkton, Saskatchewan Yorkton baseball players and fans have more reason to cheer for their teams thanks to $240,140 for upgrades to the Jubilee Park ball diamonds under the Canada Celebrates Saskatchewan (CCS) centennial capital initiative.
Federal Finance Minister Ralph Goodale and the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport), announced a total of $302,140 in CCS funding today. The ball diamond upgrades include installation of lighting, reconstruction of the backstop, and upgrades to the field and the dugout. With the remaining $62,000, the city will purchase modular skateboard equipment for a skateboard park.
"The Canada Celebrates Saskatchewan initiative is creating a wide variety of legacy facilities in communities of all sizes," said Minister Goodale. "More than 350 communities are benefiting from the federal investment of almost $5 million under this initiative."
"The Government of Canada is proud to recognize Saskatchewan's historical contributions to confederation and celebrate its accomplishments," said Minister Owen. " Through the CCS initiative, WD is providing Saskatchewan communities with the opportunity to make improvements to their most valued public facilities ."
"Thanks to the generosity of the federal government, these new lights mean our ball games can start later, which will attract more people and bring increased opportunities to host a variety of tournaments during the season," explained Yorkton mayor Phil DeVos. "The upgrades and increased economic spin-offs will also benefit our Yorkton Cardinals of the Western Major Baseball League."
The new lighting comes at an opportune time as the city experienced a growth in minor baseball from 90 participants to more than 300 in the past four years. The project enables Yorkton to host night games along with the other 12 Western Baseball League members.
This announcement brings the Government of Canada's total investment to more than $4.9 million in 354 Saskatchewan municipalities for projects that will leave a legacy for future generations.
Canada Celebrates Saskatchewan is a community-based, grassroots program. Communities identify projects that are priorities for them and that will benefit their residents. Eligible applicants can combine their resources and apply jointly to benefit from the same project. Community groups, such as park boards or museum societies are encouraged to work with eligible applicants to develop projects that will enhance community assets. The deadline for application has been extended to July 31, 2005.
Announced in December 2004, the Canada Celebrates Saskatchewan centennial initiative commemorates Saskatchewan's 100 th birthday. It is a province-wide plan that helps communities improve their quality of life through capital projects and increased economic activity.
The Department of Canadian Heritage is also supporting celebrations and commemorations surrounding Saskatchewan and Alberta's centennial. It is contributing to activities organized by non-government organizationsas well as to the Royal Visit in May 2005. "Canada from East to West" is the theme for the 2005 national celebrations, acknowledging the centennials in the two provinces.
Funding for this initiative was provided for in Budget 2005.
For additional information, contact:
Joanne Mysak
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon, SK
Tel: (306) 975-5942
E-mail: joanne.mysak@wd.gc.ca
WD Toll-Free Number
1 888 338-WEST (9378)
World Wide Web Site:
English: http://www.wd.gc.ca
French: http://www.deo.gc.ca
Backgrounder
Canada Celebrates Saskatchewan centennial initiative
Canada Celebrates Saskatchewan (CCS) is a Government of Canada initiative to commemorate and celebrate Saskatchewan's centennial in 2005.
Through CCS, Western Economic Diversification Canada will deliver $36.8 million in federal centennial funding allocated to capital legacy projects. Fourteen million dollars have been set aside for municipalities and First Nations communities outside of Regina and Saskatoon.
Communities will also be able to acquire assets for public use and that benefit the community.
The program provides one-time contributions of up to 100 per cent of total project costs to the maximum approved for the community. Funding is on a per-capita basis (based on the 2001 census and the 2001 Aboriginal Peoples Survey) of $20 per person for communities of over 300 people. Smaller communities are eligible to receive funding as follows:
Population under 100 $2,000 per community
101-200 Population $4,000 per community
201-300 Population $6,000 per community
An information package was distributed to 887 Saskatchewan communities immediately following the December 2004 announcement. The deadline for applications has been extended to July 31, 2005.
Canadian Heritage has also committed up to $3.1 million for a number of initiatives including: Canada Day celebrations in Regina, activities surrounding the Royal Visit, and centennial celebrations being organized by non-government organizations.
For more information, please contact:
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD)
Toll Free: 1-888-338-9378
Saskatoon area: (306) 975-6559
Website: www.wd.gc.ca
Mail: PO Box 2025, Saskatoon SK S7K 3S7
