$2 MILLION TO RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE NORTH

Residents of Northern Saskatchewan will soon be enjoying enhanced recreational and cultural facilities as the result of an agreement signed today for a $2 million Building Communities Program investment by the provincial government.

"We believe that all our citizens, including those who live in the North, should benefit from having access to cultural and recreational activities," Northern Affairs Minister Joan Beatty told participants attending a signing ceremony with the Northern Sport, Culture and Recreation District. "This investment supports the government's commitment to making life better for all Saskatchewan families and communities, and to building a better future for our young people."

The $100 million Building Communities Program is the largest per capita cultural and recreational infrastructure program in Canada.

"This northern component of this program is unique because it is delivered by Northerners, for Northerners," Northern Sport, Culture and Recreation district board chair Terri-Lynn Beavereye said. "I look forward to working with members of the Northern Sport, Culture and Recreation District to identify projects that will provide healthy lifestyles and provide wellness benefits to communities as a whole with special emphasis on families and youth."

The Building Communities Program established separate criteria that recognized the unique needs of communities in the North. For example, projects in the North may qualify for funding if they are less than $1 million in total cost. As well, the total cost of the project may be covered. In the rest of the province, up to 25 per cent of the cost is covered for those projects that qualify and receive funding.

The three-year Building Communities Program was first announced last December and funded four projects in 2006 - Lloydminster's Common Wealth Centre, Swift Current's Centennial Civic Centre, Wanuskewin Heritage Park and Yorkton's Gallagher Centre. Future projects will be announced in year two (2007-2008) and three (2008-2009).

Information on the Building Communities Program can be found on the Department of Culture, Youth and Recreation's website at www.cyr.gov.sk.ca

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For more information, contact:

Aidan Morgan
Culture, Youth and Recreation
Regina
Phone: 306-787-9087
Email: amorgan@cyr.gov.sk.ca