For Release
February 28, 2007
WATROUS, Saskatchewan – Today the town of Watrous
held a grand opening for the civic centre and administrative offices.
The Civic Centre received major renovations to the existing building that
included: a new exterior finish; replacing windows, doors, and all lighting;
removing asbestos from the building; and new insulation.
The $1.9 million project received funding of $247,838 from the federal transfer
of gasoline excise tax revenues and $250,000 each from the federal and provincial
governments under the Canada-Saskatchewan Municipal Rural Infrastructure
Fund and $1.15 million from the Town of Watrous.
Lynne Yelich, member of Parliament for Blackstrap, on behalf of the Honourable
Rona Ambrose, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western
Economic Diversification, MLA Peter Prebble, on behalf of Government Relations
Minister Harry Van Mulligen, and Mayor Ed Collins cut the ribbon to officially
open the refurbished building.
“The Town of Watrous has shown initiative in making its Main Street
civic centre safer and more energy efficient. Canada’s New Government
is providing stable and reliable funding that helps communities like Watrous
meet their infrastructure needs," said MP Yelich. "Implementing
infrastructure is never easy, making this a tremendous achievement and a
huge accomplishment for the community of Watrous. By wisely investing
in needed infrastructure, Watrous is providing a great example for other
communities,” concluded Yelich.
“This project is a fine example of bringing an older facility to a
more energy efficient and safer standard,” Prebble said. “The
province is pleased to partner with the federal government and the town to
ensure that local families and youth benefit from the activities and events
at the civic centre for years to come.”
“We are very pleased with the results of this project. It is a significant
undertaking for our community and this project would not have been possible
without the Municipal Infrastructure Funding,” said Mayor Ed Collins. “Our
residents, as well as those from surrounding communities will enjoy the remodelled
facilities for many years to come.”
The federal and provincial governments are investing a total of $76 million
in the four-year Canada-Saskatchewan Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.
Participating communities are expected to contribute one-half the cost of
any project, which will raise the total infrastructure investment above $152
million.
In 2005, the Government of Canada signed an agreement with Saskatchewan
to provide more than $147 million in federal gas tax funding over five years
to the province’s municipalities. Watrous has used the majority of
its funding for the Civic Centre project.
For additional information, contact:
Brenda Tarasiuk
A/Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: (306) 975-5943
Cathy Gourlie
Communications
Saskatchewan Government Relations
Regina, SK
Tel: 306-787-2687
