A $4.22 million Government of Canada infrastructure investment will lay the groundwork for the construction of a regional water supply and distribution system that will benefit residents from the northern communities of La Ronge, Air Ronge and t the Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB)156 and 156B.
"Improving the health of Canadians and our environment is a key priority of our Government," announced Rob Clarke, Member of Parliament for Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River on behalf of th e Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queens Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. "This project will provide these northern communities with access to a safe, reliable sou rce of drinking water and demonstrates how we are working to achieve real results with tangible health benefits for Saskatchewan residents."
Estimated at $12.14 million, the water pipeline project includes the expansion of La Ronge's water treatmen t plant, the conversion of Air Ronge's water treatment plant to a water distribution plant, pipeline construction in LLRIB 156B and modifications to the water distribution system of LLRIB 156 and 156B.
The Government of Canada's $4.22 million co ntribution is provided under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF). The community partners will fund the balance of the project with respective investments of:
- Lac La Ronge Indian Band - $4.31 million
- Northern Village of A ir Ronge - $1.85 million
- Northern Village of La Ronge - $1.76 million
The Government of Saskatchewan, through the Northern Revenue Sharing Trust Account, is providing approximately $2 million to the communities of Air Ronge and La Ro nge to help fund the project.
"Safe drinking water is extremely important to communities throughout the province and our government is pleased to contribute to this project, which is helping sustain and grow Saskatchewan's northern communities, " Municipal Affairs Minister Bill Hutchinson said.
"The regional water pipeline ensures a cost-effective way to meet a common goal which is the provision of high quality potable water to our area," said Mayor Joe Hordyski of the Town of La Ronge. "By sharing resources this partnership between the Town of La Ronge, the Lac La Ronge Indian Band and the Northern Village of Air Ronge is another forward step in community development. Our unique situation has allowed us to prepare now and prosper in th e future."
The new water treatment and distribution system addresses the necessity to upgrade the communities' water treatment facilities to address water quality and capacity concerns as well as meeting regulatory requirements for water quality an d waterworks operations. Eliminating the duplication of services and operations in each community results in lower operating expenses.
Construction commenced in August with the tunnelling of the pipeline, which will proceed to mid-November or fr eeze-up. Over the winter, the design of the expanded La Ronge water treatment plant will be finalized and tenders for this work will be sought in spring 2009. Construction of the water treatment plant will occur between 2009 and 2010. The commissioning of the regional water supply and distribution system is targeted for June 2011.
CSIF complements the Government of Canada's other infrastructure programs but emphasizes large-scale projects of national or regional significance that foster economic sustainability and enhance Canadians' quality of life. Through its unprecedented $33 billion Building Canada Plan, the Government will modernize and restore the country's infrastructure system to support a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and mor e prosperous communities.
For additional information, contact:
Pierre Floréa
Director of CommunicationsOffice of the President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Min ister of Western Economic Diversification
Ottawa, Ontario
Tel: 613 943-1838
Glen Gillis
Project Manager
Lac La Ronge Regional Water Corp.
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Tel: 306 953-2262
