Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – The City of Saskatoon
will receive more than $3.2 million from the Canada-Saskatchewan Municipal
Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) to upgrade a portion of its wastewater
treatment plant located in the city’s north end.
Honourable, Harry Van Mulligen, Minister of Saskatchewan Government Relations
and Maurice Vellacott, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Wanuskewin on
behalf of The Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue and
Western Economic Diversification and Saskatoon Mayor Donald Atchison announced
the funding today.
“Canada’s New Government is getting things done for the people
of Saskatoon,” said MP Vellacott, on behalf of Minister Skelton,
Minister of National Revenue and Western Economic Diversification. “By
investing in this project, we will help keep the city of Saskatoon clean,
green and healthy.”
“Projects like this strengthen the city’s infrastructure
which in turn makes life better for families now and in the years to come,”
Van Mulligen said. “We are pleased to invest $1.6 million in Saskatchewan’s
future and to partner with the federal government and the city on this
project.”
"We continue to strive for improvements to our wastewater treatment
system in order to minimize any impact on the environment,” said
Mayor Atchison. “As well, this expansion will use the latest in
grit removal technology and will address our future needs as the city
grows. It also means a reduction in odours for the surrounding area and
that’s a huge benefit for our residents.”
The City is entering into the detailed design stage of this project and
expects equipment tenders to be issued in mid-summer followed by a construction
tender in the fall of 2007. It is anticipated that the project will be
completed in the summer of 2008.
The total project value is estimated at $6.56 million. Scheduled improvements
include the expansion and upgrade of the plant’s grit and screening
facility. The new technology will significantly improve the existing system.
The upgrades, which include the addition of discharge stations, will also
reduce maintenance costs and odours.
Before receiving final approval, community projects undergo a review
process under both the Canadian Environment Assessment Act and
The Environmental Assessment Act (Saskatchewan).
The federal and provincial governments are investing a total of $76 million
in the four-year Canada-Saskatchewan Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund
through to March 31, 2009. Participating communities are expected to contribute
one-half the cost of any project, which will raise the total infrastructure
investment to more than $152 million.
More information on the Government of Canada and Province of Saskatchewan’s
infrastructure programs is available online at www.infrastructure.gc.ca
or www.municipal.gov.sk.ca/mrd/prosimsi.shtml
.
For additional information, contact:
Mike Winterburn
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic Diversification
Tel: (613) 995-2960
Heather Waldern-Hinds
Communications Officer
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 975-5475
Cathy Gourlie
Communications Consultant
Saskatchewan Government Relations
Regina, Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 787-2687
Mark Keller
Manager
Water and Wastewater Treatment Branch
City of Saskatoon
Tel: (306) 975-2566
