WELCOMING THE CENTENNIAL YEAR PROVINCE-WIDE

A Saskatchewan idol will sing, many bells will ring and when Saskatchewan begins its centennial year on January 1st, residents will celebrate 100 years of heart in communities across the province.

Saskatchewan Centennial 2005, with community centennial committee partners, will host events in 15 centres across the province. Neighbouring communities are all invited to join the festivities and take part in the first official centennial events of 2005.

"We are very proud to support communities in planning for, and celebrating, this memorable occasion," Centennial Chair and Moose Jaw North MLA Glenn Hagel said. "January 1st will be an important day for our province and the start of a very exciting year for everyone."

In addition to events happening around the province, Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 will hold its official event to welcome the centennial at the provincial Legislative Building on New Year's Day at 11:30 a.m. Provincial leaders including Lieutenant Governor Lynda Haverstock, Premier Lorne Calvert, Centennial Chair Hagel and special guests including Saskatchewan's own Theresa Sokyrka will announce additional plans for 2005 and will join the rest of the province ringing bells at noon. After the event at the Legislative Building, guests will be encouraged to attend the Lieutenant Governor's New Year's Day levee at Government House.

"The start of a new century of Saskatchewan will occur in 2005," Hagel said. "New Year's Day is just the start of a very exciting year and there are 364 more days to look forward to."

Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 provided funding of $73,000, divided among the 15 communities, to carry on complementary events for residents in the region to kick off the centennial year.

Additional information on Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 is available online at www.sask2005.ca.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Chris Shauf Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 Regina Phone: (306)787-1254 Cell: (306)530-5775