FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS INVEST IN UPGRADING 25-YEAR OLD EVERGREEN CENTRE

A $250,000 investment from the Canada-Saskatchewan Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) will make the Nipawin Evergreen Centre significantly more energy efficient and reduce the Centre's heating and lighting expenses.

The investment was announced today by Brian Fitzpatrick, Member of Parliament for Prince Albert, on behalf of Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, Carrot River Valley MLA Fred Bradshaw on behalf of Saskatchewan Municipal Affairs Minister Bill Hutchinson and Nipawin Mayor Glen Day.

The Town of Nipawin, which operates the Centre, will also contribute more than $418,000 to implement a coordinated approach to upgrade the facility's components-heating, lighting, roof membrane and ice plant-which are at the end of their useful life. These improvements will extend the community's use of the Centre, make it more comfortable for patrons and make the operational systems safer.

"Community infrastructure means more than roads and water systems," said Fitzpatrick. "By investing in the Evergreen Centre's energy efficient upgrades, the public and curlers will enjoy improved recreational facilities in the Town of Nipawin. We're working in partnership to help communities be more healthy and productive places to live."

"The provincial government recognizes that the Evergreen Centre is a vital part of the recreational infrastructure for the residents of Nipawin and area," Bradshaw said. "We are proud to invest in improvements that ensure this important facility continues to serve the needs of the community for years to come."

Today's 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 toward the projects' $12.69 million total cost.

The Town of Nipawin, while maintaining the facility in recent years with funds from our capital budget, would not be in a position to do the proposed upgrade at one time without the funding from the MRIF grant," Day said. "When the upgrades are complete, the Evergreen Centre will be a viable facility for years to come, while at the same time costing less to operate, which is a win-win for the residents of Nipawin and area."

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 Saskatchewan MRIF projects to over $90.9 million.

Before receiving final approval, community projects undergo a review process under both the Canadian Environment Assessment Act and The Environmental Assessment Act (Saskatchewan).

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For more information, contact:

Joanne Mysak
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-975-5942

Tyler McMurchy
Municipal Affairs
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5193
Email: tyler.mcmurchy@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-537-7051

Dan Poulin
Town of Nipawin
Nipawin
Phone: 306-862-9866