February 01, 2008
Osler, Saskatchewan
The residents of the towns of Osler, Hafford, Langham, Radisson and Rosthern will benefit from over $413,000 in combined federal and provincial funding through the Canada-Saskatchewan Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) to renovate and upgrade community cultural and recreational facilities.
This investment was announced by the Honourable Nancy Heppner, Saskatchewan Minister of Environment; Maurice Vellacott, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Wanuskewin, 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; and Ben Buhler, Mayor of the Town of Osler.
"The provincial government's investment in these important community facilities will help deliver on our goal of building a better future for all Saskatchewan people," Minister Heppner said. "The improvements announced today will provide real and lasting benefits to the residents of these communities."
"Today's investment will improve accessibility and energy efficiency for local cultural and recreational facilities," said MP Vellacott. "The Government of Canada is proud to work in partnership with the Province of Saskatchewan and these municipalities to help communities grow as strong and vibrant places to live and work."
The announcement includes more than $101,000 for the Town of Osler to expand and upgrade its community hall, and over $110,000 for the Town of Radisson to reconstruct its swimming pool. A full list of project descriptions and investments is attached.
"Today's announcement is the adrenalin the Town of Osler needed to give new life to the programming for adults and children alike in our soon to be renovated Community Hall," said Mayor Buhler. "With the planned upgrade and expansion, we can accommodate preschool programming, community theatre and many of the rental requests received. It is still a 60's building, but the injection of new monies will allow us to create a building with added flexibility. The Town appreciates this partnership opportunity and we will ensure its potential is maximized."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 these 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) 975-5942
Tyler McMurchyCommunicationsSaskatchewan Municipal AffairsRegina, SKTel: (306) 787-5193Cel: (306) 537-7051
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
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Backgrounder
Osler and Area Infrastructure Projects - Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF)
Town of Osler - Osler Community Hall Expansion and Upgrade MRIF funding: $101,490; Project cost: $202,980The Town will expand its community hall to accommodate stage and storage areas. Upgrades to the existing structure will include the installation of energy-efficient heating and lighting, new flooring, as well as new siding and insulation for the exterior. The improvements to the hall will facilitate its continued use by the Osler Family Resource Centre Preschool and Indoor Playground Programs, the local Tae Kwon Do organization, rentals for private events, and various uses by other community, cultural and recreational groups.
Town of Radisson - Radisson Swimming Pool ReconstructionMRIF funding: $110,550; Project cost: $221,100The Town will reconstruct the swimming pool that has served the community since 1976. The pool size will be expanded and a solar heating system installed. The reconstruction will eliminate current leakage problems, increase its size to serve the growing community, reduce operating costs and increase energy efficiency.
Town of Hafford - Hafford and District Communiplex UpgradesMRIF funding: $45,290; Project cost: $90,582The Town will upgrade its Communiplex through the addition of a canopy over the front entrance, as well as the installation of a new sound system and new seating in the ice arena. These renovations will increase accessibility by providing a safer and easier entrance to the building during inclement weather and for special needs vehicles. The new sound system will improve sound quality and allow visitors to hear announcements through the facility. New seating will be safer and more comfortable, and half the bleachers will be portable to allow for a walking track around the ice. Town of Langham - FirstSask Community Hall Energy Efficiency UpgradeMRIF funding: $68,250; Project cost: $136,500The Town will expand its geothermal artificial ice plant in the Langham Centennial Arena to serve the FirstSask Community Hall. The existing boiler and in-floor heating system in the Hall will be refitted to utilize the geothermal feed, and extra materials will be added to provide an efficient cooling system utilizing the same resource. Currently, the Hall loses many events to other facilities in the area because of the lack of a cooling system during warm weather. These upgrades will reduce operating costs, increase energy efficiency, and increase the usage of the Hall.
Town of Rosthern - Station Arts Theatre RenovationMRIF funding: $87,674; Project cost: $175,350The Town will renovate the Station Arts Theatre to add storage space and dressing rooms, raise the ceiling height on the stage, and upgrade the seating area. The improvements will increase accessibility, safety and comfort for performers and audiences
Total MRIF funding: $413,254Total project costs: $826,512
