February 20, 2008
Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan
The residents of Maple Creek, Gravelbourg, Herbert and Old Post will benefit from revitalized recreational facilities thank to a joint investment of more than $411,000 from the federal and provincial governments provided through the Canada-Saskatchewan Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).
These investments were announced today by David L. Anderson, Member of Parliament for Cypress Hills-Grasslands, 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 Yogi Huyghebaert, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Wood River, on behalf of Municipal Affairs Minister Bill Hutchinson.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to support these communities as they revitalize and renew their cultural and recreational facilities," said MP Anderson. "Today's investment reflects our government's commitment to help communities grow as vibrant and productive places to live, work and raise families."
"Recreational facilities play a vital role in these communities, and I'm happy the provincial government was able to contribute to these improvements," Huyghebaert said. "It's part of our commitment to ensure all Saskatchewan people benefit from the province's strong economic momentum."
"It's great to see that both the federal and provincial governments understand the needs of rural Saskatchewan, and with energy and other input costs increasing, providing recreational services is becoming more difficult," said Gravelbourg Mayor Fernand Bouvier. "A grant such as this one goes far towards enhancing the quality of life for citizens of all ages and reducing green house gases for present and future generations."
Today's announcement includes more than $121,000 for the Town of Gravelbourg to upgrade the Palestre Arena with energy-saving heating and air conditioning systems to reduce operating costs. The Town of Herbert will receive over $36,000 to replace lights, furnaces and install new rubber flooring in their sports complex. Maple Creek will benefit from more than $44,000 for high efficiency natural gas boilers and to fix malfunctioning skimmer systems that keep the pool water clean and properly filtered. An additional $208,410 will be provided to the R.M. of Old Post for much needed maintenance and repairs to heating systems, a platform for passive solar heating panels, upgraded bed lining for the external pool and renovations to change facilities.
Under the initial Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (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) 975-5942Tyler McMurchyCommunicationsSaskatchewan Municipal AffairsRegina, SKTel: (306) 787-5193Cel: (306) 537-7051
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
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Backgrounder
Maple Creek and Area Infrastructure Projects - Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF)
Town of Gravelbourg - Gravelbourg Palestre Arena UpgradesMRIF funding: $121,736; Project cost: $243,475The Town of Gravelbourg will install energy efficient heating and air conditioning systems to reduce operating costs, carbon-based fuel and greenhouse gas emissions. Low E insulation packs will be installed in conjunction with a sufficient dehumidification system to reduce daily electrical demand. The Town will also replace outdated boilers with multi-stage high efficiency boilers combined with heat recovery systems from ice plants. Town of Maple Creek - Maple Creek Swimming Pool UpgradesMRIF funding: $44,624; Project cost: $89,250The Town of Maple Creek will increase energy efficiency of its facility by replacing existing boilers with green energy boilers. It will also replace skimmer systems to properly filter pool water, keeping it free of contaminates. Village of Herbert - Herbert Sports Complex RenovationsMRIF funding: $36,506; Project cost: $73,014Herbert will upgrade their complex by replacing old furnaces with energy efficient models. They will replace its ice plant and most importantly, 2 thermo-stores to collect heat and pre-heat water more efficiently. New lighting will be installed for the ice surfaces and seating areas as well as a new rubber floor base to decrease energy costs due to its current concrete floor.
RM of Old Post - Wood Mountain Regional Park Pool UpgradesMRIF funding: $208,410 Project cost: $416,821The RM of Old Post in conjunction with the Wood Mountain Regional Park Board will be upgrading the regional pool located at the Wood Mountain Regional Park. Heating and operational efficiency upgrades are intended to extend the useful life of the pool and thus long-term sustainability. Upgrades will include a bed lining for the external pool, the addition of a zero-beach area, upgraded change facilities and a platform for passive solar heating panels.
Total MRIF funding: $411,276Total project costs: $822,560
