BUILDING COMMUNITIES PROGRAM INVESTS $612,800 IN LASHBURN SPORTSPLEX

The people of Lashburn and surrounding area will soon have a new sportsplex, thanks in part to a $612,825 Building Communities Fund investment from the Province of Saskatchewan. The funding will go towards the construction of a new facility designed to meet the growing recreational needs of the region.

"Regular physical activity and recreation are the cornerstones of thriving, healthy communities," Minister of Health Len Taylor said in Lashburn today on behalf of Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Sandra Morin. "The new multipurpose sportsplex will serve the growing population of the Lashburn area and help make the region a great place to live, work and raise a family."

The Lashburn Sportsplex is a new 3,447 square metre facility that will feature an NHL-sized ice surface with seating capacity for 670 people. The Sportsplex is also designed to host rodeos, concerts and a wide variety of events. The facility is expected to serve the growing population of Lashburn and visitors from the nearby city of Lloydminster.

"The community of Lashburn is very pleased to have received a grant from the Building Communities Program," Lashburn Mayor Steven Turnball said. "It is an example of how the provincial government can assist smaller communities rebuild aging facilities. We are very grateful for the assistance to help ensure our program becomes a reality. The completion of the sportsplex facility in Lashburn will be a huge benefit for the community and surrounding communities."

The Building Communities Program is providing $100 million for cultural and recreational infrastructure over three years, beginning in 2006-07. The program seeks to ensure the sustainability of cultural and recreational infrastructure in communities throughout the province. It is the largest per capita infrastructure program of its kind in Canada.

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

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For more information, contact:

Janet Peters
Culture, Youth and Recreation
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4967
Email: jpeters@cyr.gov.sk.ca