On Wednesday Jim Carr, Special Representative for the Prairies, and Saskatchewan’s Government Relations Minister Don McMorris, than $53 million in joint funding for 24 recreation and green infrastructure projects in Saskatchewan.
This is part of the province and nation working to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Investments in Saskatchewan’s infrastructure during this extraordinary time provide an opportunity to make communities more sustainable, resilient and to further develop our renewable energy resources.
Recreation infrastructure projects include improvements to arenas, swimming pools and outdoor facilities, which will give residents of all ages access to safe, modern, and ecofriendly facilities to stay active and interact with other community members.
Investments in water and wastewater infrastructure in several Saskatchewan municipalities will improve capacity to meet current and future demand while ensuring continued compliance with provincial and federal regulations, the province said.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $31.1 million in these 24 projects through the Investing in Canada plan, with the Government of Saskatchewan providing more than $22.7 million. Contributions by recipients toward their respective projects are more than$7.2 million.
“The Government of Saskatchewan is investing more than $22.7 million toward these important projects, which will improve recreational facilities, upgrade water systems, support renewable energy and help protect the environment,” McMorris said in a release.
“It is infrastructure that will help build better communities, create jobs, and improve quality of life for those who call this great province home.”
“From swimming pools to solar projects, the Government of Canada is taking actions to support families, businesses, and the economy in Saskatchewan and across the country now, so that we can build resilient communities for years to come,” Carr said.
“The funding announced today will help communities build back better, create jobs, and build cleaner, more inclusive communities.”
The District of Lakeland will be working on the cover for the McPhee Lake Landfill, which will provide cover for the landfill and return the site to a vegetative state. The federal investment for the project was $141,308, the provincial investment was $117,775 and funding from the municipality was $94,217. As well the Town of Porcupine Plain who will also be working on their landfill by closing and decommissioning existing municipal landfill site, the federal investment in this project was $60,251, the provincial investment was $50,204 and the municipal investment was $40,173.
The Town of Spiritwood will be decommissioning and replacing two sewage pump stations, the federal investment in the project is $844,880, the provincial investment is $703,930 and the municipal investment is $563,270.
Also included are two solar energy projects, including the Awasis Solar Project on land owned by Cowessess First Nation southeast of Regina, will supply clean energy directly to the Saskatchewan electrical grid.
SaskPower will also implement a battery energy storage project that will help to balance the power system during power demand spikes and support intermittent generation options such as wind and solar.
