FUNDING ANNOUNCED FOR LLOYDMINSTER HEAVY OIL INTERPRETIVE CENTRE

Natural Resources Minister Ralph Goodale and Economic and Co-operative

Development Minister Janice MacKinnon today announced funding of

$25,000 under the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership

Agreement (WEPA) for a heavy oil interpretive centre at Lloydminster.



The facility is intended to showcase Saskatchewan's heavy oil

extraction technologies, enhance an existing tourism attraction, and

will provide a resource for Lakeland Community College to use in its

training.



The Lloydminster Heavy Oil Visitors Centre Committee, a local

volunteer group, is renovating a portion of the Barr Colony Heritage

Centre, located in Lloydminster, to house the Oilfield Technology

Society (OTS) Heavy Oil Science Centre. The oil and gas industry,

particularly the OTS, is providing over 90 per cent of the funding for

the $790,000 facility. The centre will feature interactive displays

including five computer stations, multi-media audio-visual

presentations, Internet databases and an outdoor display.



"I'm pleased to see the use of innovative technology to both promote

the industry and its products and attract tourism to the area, in

turn, increasing employment opportunities," said Minister Goodale on

behalf of Ron J. Duhamel, Secretary of State for Western Economic

Diversification.



"We are able to bring a greater understanding to people of the

importance of the oil industry to the Saskatchewan economy

through WEPA funding and by working together with the private

sector."



Energy and Mines Minister Eldon Lautermilch, on behalf of

Minister MacKinnon said, "Heavy oil is the future of

Saskatchewan's oil industry. A significant proportion of our

future oil reserve potential is associated with the heavy oil

areas of west central and northwestern Saskatchewan. I am

pleased to join with our industry and federal partners in this

project to showcase our industry."



A website to assemble and link information specific to the heavy

oil industry is associated with the projects. The site, located

at http://www.lloydminsterheavyoil.com, is intended to serve as a

marketing tool for the latest technologies and products being

developed within the industry and lead to further research and

development in the industry.



"The planned July 1st opening of the OTS Heavy Oil Science Centre

is the culmination of over six years of planning and

construction," Heavy Oil Visitors Centre Committee Chair Vic Juba

said. "The centre will be educational, informative, exciting and

inspirational. The tremendous industry support of the centre is

indicative of the industry's belief that the centre will enhance

its efforts in promoting the skills, equipment and research

opportunities that exist in the heavy oil sector."



The WEPA, administered by Western Economic Diversification Canada

and Saskatchewan Economic and Co-operative Development, will

direct $40 million over the next four years toward initiatives

that encourage new jobs and support new economic infrastructure,

tourism products, export and marketing initiatives, and new

economic opportunities, including rural, northern and Aboriginal

economic development.



-30-



For more information, contact::



Joanne Mysak

Manager, Consultations, Marketing and Communications

Western Economic Diversification Canada

Saskatoon

Phone: (306)975-5942

WD Toll-Free No:1-888-338-WEST(9378)



WD World Wide Web site:

English - http://www.wd.gc.ca

French - http://www.deo.gc.ca



Vic Juba

Chair

Lloydminster Heavy Oil Visitors Centre Committee

Lloydminster

Phone: (780) 875-3733



Bob Ellis

Manager, Corporate Affairs

Saskatchewan Economic and Co-operative Development

Regina

Phone: (306)787-1691