STATION LIQUOR STORE PARTNERS TO PROMOTE TOURISM

Glenn Hagel, MLA for Moose Jaw North, announced a partnership today

between the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, Destination

Moose Jaw and Tunnels of Little Chicago, on behalf of the Authority's

Minister, Doreen Hamilton.



"I'm very pleased to announce the Liquor and Gaming Authority is

participating in Moose Jaw's tourism initiatives by maintaining and

enhancing the historic CPR station as a tourism site and the final

stop of the tunnel tour," Hagel said.



"The authority's choice of the historic rail station as the home of

its new liquor store, combined with these partnership ventures, will

anchor tourism and downtown revitalization initiatives already

underway or planned in the city."



In partnership with the station developer, Rocom Management Ltd., the

authority will refurbish the station basement to expand the features

of the current station tour stop. The basement area will feature

historic displays related to the station. When Tunnels of Little

Chicago proceeds with a future phase extending the tunnel system under

Manitoba Street, the station basement would also become part of the

tunnel system.



The authority will also provide and staff an in-store kiosk for

booking tunnel tours and promote the station through a tourism

booklet to be produced by Tunnels of Little Chicago. In

addition, the authority has committed to supporting the tourism

trolley initiative proposed by Destination Moose Jaw, by making

the station a stop on the proposed trolley tour. The authority

will also explore other initiatives with the tunnels tourism

project.



"I'm very pleased the authority has agreed to participate in this

downtown revitalization project," Hagel said. "Moose Jaw City

Council, Destination Moose Jaw, downtown businesses and Tunnels

of Little Chicago should be commended on their efforts to include

the liquor store in their plans. The authority's cooperation

will mean an additional boost for the tunnel tourism plan."



The authority will relocate its Fairford Street retail operation

to the station and plans to open the new liquor store for the

1999 Christmas season.



"This redevelopment will not only protect this important heritage

site, but will also provide a valuable historic asset for tourism

in downtown Moose Jaw," Hagel said.



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For more information, contact:



Lisa Thomson

Liquor and Gaming

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-1721