OSLER AND AREA RESIDENTS BENEFIT FROM MORE THAN $413,000 IN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS

The residents of the towns of Osler, Hafford, Langham, Radisson and Rosthern will benefit from over $413,000 in combined federal and provincial funding through the Canada-Saskatchewan Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) to renovate and upgrade community cultural and recreational facilities.

This investment was announced by Saskatchewan Environment Minister Nancy Heppner; Maurice Vellacott, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Wanuskewin, on behalf of Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Olser Mayor Ben Buhler.

"The provincial government's investment in these important community facilities will help deliver on our goal of building a better future for all Saskatchewan people," Heppner said. "The improvements announced today will provide real and lasting benefits to the residents of these communities."

"Today's investment will improve accessibility and energy efficiency for local cultural and recreational facilities," said Vellacott. "The Government of Canada is proud to work in partnership with the Province of Saskatchewan and these municipalities to help communities grow as strong and vibrant places to live and work."

The announcement includes more than $101,000 for the Town of Osler to expand and upgrade its community hall, and over $110,000 for the Town of Radisson to reconstruct its swimming pool. A full list of project descriptions and investments is attached.

"Today's announcement is the adrenalin the Town of Osler needed to give new life to the programming for adults and children alike in our soon to be renovated Community Hall," Buhler said. "With the planned upgrade and expansion, we can accommodate preschool programming, community theatre and many of the rental requests received. It is still a 60's building, but the injection of new monies will allow us to create a building with added flexibility. The Town appreciates this partnership opportunity and we will ensure its potential is maximized."

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 MRIF projects to over $90.9 million.

This 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 these projects' $12.69 million total cost.

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
Cell: 306-537-7051