January 04, 2008
Biggar, Saskatchewan
The residents of Biggar will benefit from over $64,000 in combined federal and provincial funding through the Canada-Saskatchewan Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) to construct a solar pool heating system for the Biggar Aquatic Centre.
This investment was announced today by the Honourable Carol Skelton, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, Randy Weekes, Member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly for Biggar, and Mayor Raymond Sadler from the Town of Biggar.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to help the residents of Biggar revitalize their Aquatic Centre by making it more energy efficient," said MP Skelton. "Today's investment reflects our commitment to help communities modernize their infrastructure and continue to grow as vibrant and productive places to live, work and raise families."
Upgrading the Biggar Aquatic Centre to access an environmentally-friendly energy source will reduce heating costs, consumption of non-renewable resources and emissions of contaminants into the atmosphere.
"I am proud that infrastructure funding from the Province will be put towards this project. It is a project with economic, environmental and quality of life benefits for the residents of Biggar and surrounding communities," said Weekes. "This is an exciting time for our Province and our Government is committed to working in partnership to ensure we continue to build a better future for the people of Saskatchewan."
"As Steven Harper's conservations start the new year, changes necessary to address environmental issues continue to be a forward issue. The environmental benefits provided for through federal and provincial funding to this recreational facility, the Biggar Aquatic Centre, will move other municipalities and local governments to look at solar and other green options to maintain recreation facilities for health as a part of our great community" said Biggar Mayor Raymond Sadler.
Under the initial MRIF agreement, the federal and provincial governments committed a combined $76 million to the fund, with participating communities contributing one-half of all costs, raising the total infrastructure investment above $152 million.
In 2007, the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan provided an additional $14.9 million to the fund as part of their commitment to help smaller communities meet their pressing infrastructure needs. This additional funding brings the total federal and provincial investment in MRIF projects to over $90.9 million.
This announcement is part of a larger group of 56 MRIF cultural and recreational projects being announced across the province. The federal and provincial governments are providing more than $5.7 million towards the projects' $12.69 million total cost.
Before receiving final approval, community projects undergo a review process under both the Canadian Environment Assessment Act and The Environmental Assessment Act (Saskatchewan).
For additional information, media may contact:
Joanne MysakManager, CommunicationsWestern Economic Diversification CanadaTelephone: (306) 975-5942WD Toll-Free No.: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Tyler McMurchyCommunicationsSaskatchewan Municipal AffairsRegina, SKTel: (306) 787-5193Cel: (306) 537-7051
